Alpine Lakes Dam Safety Upgrades and Automation

Project

Alpine Lakes Dam Safety Upgrades and Automation

Project Status

Status
Design/Planning
Summary:

For nearly 100 years, five high lake reservoirs located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness have provided water supplies for agriculture and fish production. The outlet structures that control the release of water from these lakes, were constructed between 1929 and 1949 and are now outdated. Structural repairs are needed to comply with current Dam Safety standards. Headgates currently need to be adjusted manually to release water from the lakes by hiking in or by helicopter access. Because of the remote nature of these lakes, headgates are adjusted infrequently, meaning releases are not well matched to actual water demand and stream flow conditions. Implementation of this project includes dam safety improvements and infrastructure upgrades needed to support automation and optimization of lake releases. This includes upgrades of lake outlet structures and headgates, installation of solar panels to remotely control power gates for water release, and development of a decision support tool to assist in inter-agency data sharing and release management.

 

Benefits:
  • Comply with Dam Safety standards
  • Improve instream flow by optimizing lake releases
  • Enable adequate streamflow every year for salmon and other native fish
  • Ensure reliable water supply for IPID and LNFH
  • Increased water storage options for climate change resiliency
(AGRICULTURE)
(LAWS)
(HATCHERY)
(FLOW)

Location:

Project Summary Video:

Timeline

Timeline
Timeline Date
Design 2025-2026
Timeline Date
Implementation 2027-2029
Timeline Details
Implementation will be phased for each Alpine Lake between 2027-2029

Contacts

Contacts
Name
Mary Jo Sanborn
Phone Number
509-860-2135

Gallery: