Benbow Lake: Yes or No?
I don't get it. Why would anyone not want the dam put up at Benbow each year?
The Redwood Times reports that some survey was given out. They don't say how the survey was sent out. I'm assuming it must have been given out to visitors to the Benbow area. Although the dam wasn't installed this year, 30 people wanted to see the dam stay. 25 did not.
Why would they not want Benbow Dam?
I suppose I could see it if it involved the cost. They say it could cost up to $1.6 million to put the dam in, but I have to wonder why it would cost that much?
It's not like it's a new project. The Benbow Dam has been there each summer for decades. All they should have to do is get a crane and lower the panels in to place. The cost should be in the thousands, not over a million.
They say something about having to get permits and have studies done. Why do they have to have those same permits and studies done year after year? Sounds like a problem with government to me.
Get rid of the permits and studies and put the dam back in next summer.
posted by Fred Mangels @ 7:31 AM
8 comments
8 Comments:
To my understanding, it's an old dam that is in disrepair and requires a significant investment to keep it going.
I'm not that big of a fan of the "Lake" myself. But if it could keep the tourism contained to that area, I would be more for it.
Well Fred, when you put the state in charge of something expenses go up, and they get paid the same whether they do anything or not.
We've come a long way since the time that the Benbow family would go down and put the dam in and have a chicken barbeque.
I'd bet that they would be flopping in their graves if they knew it cost 1.6 million now.
"when you put the state in charge of something expenses go up...".
Again: Sounds like a problem with government to me.
Fred,
It is more than just a money issue to fix the Dam. Its the fact, Benbow lake & Dam are causing serius habitat and water quality problems upstream & downstream on the South Fork of the Eel River.
Let me ask you this question: do you know anyone who swims in the Lake after Reggae? None of the locals do, we don't even swim anywhere downstream after Reggae!!!
The County Enviromental Health and State water board test the water in the river just downstream from Reggae, at Richardsons Grove, before and after the event. Guess what, there was a huge spike in "coliform bacteria" and "fecal coliform bacteria". When I found out about this I had them check Benbow, just below the Dam, and guess what, the same thing. Everybody downstream from Benbow Dam gets their water from the River. Now the lake or Dam doesn't cause this problem, but it does allow the bacteria a place to have fun, and do it's thing.
Go down and see all the Redwoods falling into the river bar, across from the Benbow Inn, the lake is causing this. Look and see what happened to East Branch creek, that comes into the South Fork Eel behind the Benbow Inn, it is all choked up.
The lake itself in late summer turns into a swamp like place, water is warm, lots of pincher bugs waiting at the shore line, alge everywhere, not a fun place to have fun.
And lets not even start talking about the Salmon and steelhead problems.
The only ones who want the lake are the Benbow Inn and the Graberville/Redway Chamber. This last meeting State Parks had about Benbow, was only with business ties or interest that involves keeping the Lake and Dam for his or her own monetary gain.
All you people forget, there is a river at Benbow, why do we need the lake anymore. If no one lived within 100 miles of Benbow State Park, and all you could do is Camp, do you think State Parks would keep it. The Dam was built in the late 20's for electricity, and even that has gone bye bye...
Both State Parks & The Benbow Inn and even the Garbnerville Chamber are crying the blues about how they lost money this year without Benbow Lake. I don't think the Lake had anything to do with it...
Remember, there are two sides to every story & For every action, there is a opposite and equal reaction.
Ed Voice
Garberville, Ca
"No, the lake or Dam doesn't cause this problem, but it does allow the bacteria a place to have fun, and do it's thing.".
But that could be said of any well used swimming hole on the river.
"The lake itself in late summer turns into a swamp like place, water is warm, lots of pincher bugs waiting at the shore line, alge everywhere, not a fun place to have fun.".
That could be said about all the swimming holes, and the river itself, as well.
"All you people forget, there is a river at Benbow, why do we need the lake anymore.".
Because that's water we wouldn't have for recreation if we relied on the river alone.
Get rid of the permits and studies and put the dam back in next summer.
YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD FRED
Let me ask you this question: do you know anyone who swims in the Lake after Reggae? None of the locals do, we don't even swim anywhere downstream after Reggae!!!
TAKE THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE PICTURE AND BAN REGGAE--PROBLEM SOLVED (oops, i forgot, thats to easy)
All dams need to meet safety standards and environmental requirements to receive licensing. Licensing happens every X number of years, depending on the local jurisdiction. Just like the roads you drive on, the home you live in, and nearly all man-made structures, they all tend to need repair and maintenance. I suspect that Banbow requires substantial repairs to meet both safety standards agains dam failure and environmental requirements for protected fish species, that the cost far outweigh the desire to have a seasonal swimming hole.
All dams need to meet safety standards and environmental requirements to receive licensing. Licensing happens every X number of years, depending on the local jurisdiction. Just like the roads you drive on, the home you live in, and nearly all man-made structures, they all tend to need repair and maintenance. I suspect that Banbow requires substantial repairs to meet both safety standards agains dam failure and environmental requirements for protected fish species, that the cost far outweigh the desire to have a seasonal swimming hole.
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