New Dam Proposed on the Bear R. (ID)

The Twin Lakes Canal Company applied for a preliminary permit from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to build a new dam down-stream from the existing Oneida Narrows dam on the Bear River.  The canal company plans to construct a seven-megawatt hydropower facility and create a 200-acre reservoir that backs up to the existing dam.  This proposed project would inundate the existing whitewater resources in the Oneida Narrows not to mention cause irreparable ecological impacts.  In 2002 American Whitewater reached a Settlement Agreement for the relicensing of PacifiCorp’s Bear River Hydropower projects.  That Settlement Agreement included weekend flows in the Oneida Narrows reach.  If built the Twin Lakes Canal Company dam would make those conditions in the Settlement Agreement moot.

American Whitewater is working with local boaters to fight this dam proposal.  Jeff

Seamons has elected to take the lead for the boating community on this project.  If you would like to assist Jeff please contact him diannejeff@pcu.net. Boaters can file a Motion to Intervene in opposition of the dam.