06/14/05 Repairs made to Deer Flat Dam

The Bureau of Reclamation says the danger has past around the Deer Flat Dam conduit to the Caldwell canal. The dam which holds the water in Lake Lowell showed signs of seepage. Ground penetrating radar showed voids around the conduit and that's when Bureau of Rec's Steven Jarsky says they took immediate action by building the berm. JARSKY "Generally just adds more bulk to the dam in that area and reinforces it. So we feel that the immediate emergency is gone." Jarsky says they've also taken steps to insure that Canyon County irrigators get the water they need this summer. JARSKY "So we're pumping over the berm into the inlet of the canal at that point and we are still making deliveries however that requires the use of pumps." Jarsky says any hope of a long term solution this year is out of the question given the planning, design and approvals that are required on dam safety projects. JARSKY "We're planning on starting the permanent fix in October of 2006." The Bureau of Reclamation had hoped for dropping water levels in Lake Lowell but that hasn't happen yet thanks to rain and cool weather. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott