Oregon Dam Repair Plan Gets More Environmental Review And Public Comment
Published Date: 6/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The USDA is updating plans to fix Clear Branch Dam in Hood River County, Oregon, and will study how this project might affect the environment. They’re extending the public comment period by 30 days and holding another meeting to hear your thoughts. This project could change local forest rules and aims to keep the area safe and healthy, with new timelines and details shared now.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Proposed fix preserves irrigation service
If you are one of the Middle Fork Irrigation District (MFID) patrons, the Proposed Action would remediate Clear Branch Dam and extend the dam's service life by approximately 75 years and authorize ongoing operation for 30 more years. The reservoir currently provides water to 404 users to irrigate 6,362 acres, and the proposed action is intended to keep supplying clear and dependable irrigation water.
No-action could remove irrigation infrastructure
Under No Action Scenario 2, if NRCS does not fund remediation and the Forest Service does not issue the special use permit, MFID would be required to remove all infrastructure on National Forest System lands, including the dam, diversions, and pipes, and the site would be restored to a natural condition. This would affect the reservoir that currently supplies water to 404 users irrigating 6,362 acres.
Alternative to build new reservoir on Dog River
Alternative 4 would build a new storage reservoir on Dog River, decommission Clear Branch Dam, restore the old dam site, and construct a run-of-river diversion on Clear Branch to connect to the new storage. The new reservoir would replace existing storage for irrigation, hydropower, and other MFID uses and, if approved, would be authorized by a Forest Service special use permit for 30 years; transfer of storage water rights would be subject to Oregon Water Resources Department approval.
Public recreation likely closed during construction
For safety reasons, the project area would likely be closed to the public for several years during project implementation, which would affect recreation access. If you use the area for hiking, fishing, or other recreation, you may lose access for the duration of construction.
ESA-listed species and critical habitat may be affected
The EIS states that aquatic species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) — including bull trout, spring Chinook salmon, and winter steelhead trout — and critical habitat for bull trout and northern spotted owl may be affected by the project alternatives. If you fish, rely on these species, or are concerned about habitat, the alternatives could change habitat conditions in the Clear Branch watershed and downstream areas.
Forest Plan amendments may allow rock extraction and roads
Implementing some alternatives (notably the Proposed Action with on-site rock processing) may require amendments to the Mt. Hood Forest Plan and the Northwest Forest Plan to allow rock material extraction and processing in riparian reserves, re-routing of Laurance Lake Road, and changes to soil, water, riparian, fisheries, and scenic viewshed standards. The EIS notes rock extraction of up to approximately 500,000 cubic yards would be analyzed and that amendments could be needed to permit this work in areas mapped as riparian reserves and critical habitat.
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