EWEB must do something about the Leaburg dam
Structural failures in the 100 plus year old dam system, notably the canal that feeds the power turbines, is a high risk of failure in an earthquake. Read about the Future of the Leaburg Canal and Leaburg Dam. No matter which option EWEB chooses, the costs are going to be huge and EWEB rate payers will have to pay for it.
This series of posts is designed to help explore important considerations around Leaburg dam
Why the Lake Needs to be Saved
by Nadine Scott – Local Realtor and president of the McKenzie Chamber of Commerce, and property owner on Leaburg Lake’s shore.
I am concerned about the impact draining the lake would have on our primary economy of the McKenzie Valley which is tourism.
Thousands of folks from all over the state and out of state use Leaburg Lake every week for paddle boarding, kayaking, boating & fishing. The river is not a safe place for the average amateur to navigate and is not very useable for paddle boarding & kayaking, which is a family sport on the lake. Families are able to have FREE entertainment on the lake. The lake has the ONLY handicap fishing area that I am aware of. Tourist who visit the lake with their families also support the local businesses, Everyones Market in Vida, Vida Cafe, Ikes Pizza, Leaburg Store and gas station, Craigs Lucky Logger and many up river businesses.
If the lake goes away businesses be affected greatly. There are also many resorts up river that have clients that use the lake as they can not use the river and can not afford to hire guides for family entertainment.
Petitions have been circulated at the Dam/Lake put in on various days, these petitions are being signed by out of the area folks who are very upset with the thought of removing the lake and destroying their FREE family playground.
The Trout Hatchery and Salmon Hatchery depend on the water from the Dam/Lake.
If the tourist are not here to support these businesses, they will start closing. If businesses close, property values will plumet.
Our beautiful McKenzie Valley was hit very hard after the fire. Businesses are still struggling to maintain. We can’t take away what they are trying to rebuild for themselves, their families and for the good of tourism in this valley.
Yes, I am a home owner on Leaburg Lake. Home owners who purchased on the Lake purchased because it is usable water for our families and friends. I for one love living on a lake that I feel safe in using by myself without having to hire someone to take me out on the water. I use the lake every chance I get, May-October. I could not afford to hire a guide to take me on the river 5 days a week, but I can use the lake 5 days a week for free and it is like a social life out there, meeting and talking to hundreds of people all the time. The lake is a very special place for many many folks from far and near.