For More Information Contact:
Joe Harwood, 541-543-5788
Eugene Water & Electric Board

Jan. 18, 2011
4:30 p.m.

EWEB working through the night to remove Leaburg Dam debris

Eugene Water & Electric Board crews continue to work to remove a debris plug blocking one of three roll gates at the utility’s Leaburg Dam.

The debris, including large logs and root wads, started gathering against the dam’s No. 1 roll gate late Sunday night during the high water event brought on by heavy rains, unseasonably warm temperatures and rapid mountain snowmelt.

The river volume peaked at almost 35,000 cubic feet per second early Monday morning. Normal flow for this time of year is 4,000 to 5,000 cubic feet per second.

EWEB crews starting early Monday morning were able to remove about two-thirds of the debris stacked up against the dam. However, the weight of the debris blocking the No. 1 roll gate coupled with the water pressure of the swollen McKenzie River, frustrated efforts to remove the remainder of the timber.

The utility, working with Eugene-based construction contractor Wildish Co., brought in an excavator with an extended-reach arm to try to dislodge the debris blocking the No. 1 roll gate. During this work, the road on the dam will be closed to all traffic. Crews will periodically reopen the road across the dam to allow traffic to pass.

EWEB is concerned that as river levels continue to drop, the inability to close the blocked roll gate will cause Leaburg Lake to drop below its normal elevation level of 742 feet. The lake supplies water not only to fish ladders, but to the fish hatchery immediately below and south of the dam.

In order to maintain adequate water flow to the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Leaburg Fish Hatchery, EWEB has installed pumps capable of delivering 30 cubic feet per second to the hatchery, which keeps adequate fresh water and oxygen available for the fish.

Crews will work around the clock to dislodge the debris.

NOTE to EDITORS: Still photos available upon request.