LAKEPORT >> The Board of Supervisors is pushing back against the potential removal of the Scott Dam located in Lake Pillsbury. They plan to send a letter defending the preservation of this and other dams to the members of Congress representing Northern California, Jared Huffman, Mike Thompson and John Garamendi.
The Scott Dam sits downstream from Lake Pillsbury along the Eel River. It is first in line, followed by the Cape Horn Dam and helps to form Lake Van Arsdale. The structures create energy for a generator and divert water through a tunnel to the Russian River. However, there is concern at the federal level that the dams interfere with fish and wildlife.
Environmentalist have argued that removing the dams would help restore passage of fish to spawning waters.
“The potential for removal of the two PG&E Dams in order to remove impediments to fish migration because, in the view of some, they don’t need the power generation because solar energy could replace that,” said District 3 Supervisor Jim Steele. “They could have 12 acres of solar panels and replace those two dams,” Steele said.
But the Supervisors consider dams critical for water storage, aiding agriculture, recharging groundwater and muting the impact of winter storms.
Lake Pillsbury, as a headwater, benefits the community as a destination for recreation in an economically disadvantaged area, attracts large herds of rare Tule Elk and — during fire season — is a source of water for fire crews.
District 2 Supervisor Jeff Smith said he is in support of getting this letter moved and notifying the three Congressmen of the county’s opinion.
“I definitely want to make sure that they know we don’t want this dam removed and trying to get a dam put back in is ridiculous,” Smith said.
The three Congressmen have indicated they are willing to consider opposition to the plan. Removal has thus far only been discussed in informal reports generated by a series of hearings.
“They said they would love to have a letter stating our interest in protecting Scott Dam so they can track the hearings,” Steele reported.
