BLM seeks comment on future of Hult Reservoir and Dam in Oregon
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SPRINGFIELD, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management is accepting public comment on future management options at the Hult Reservoir and Dam near Horton in Lane County. The BLM is assessing management options to address the risk of dam failure as the structure ages, in response to studies suggesting the dam may be at risk in the coming years.
Crews constructed the earthen Hult Dam about 80 years ago from loose rock and logs, which are now rotting underground. In 2017, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers inspection found the dam in danger of failure, citing risks from large floods and ground instability. If the dam gave way, it would release an uncontrolled rush of water downstream toward the community of Horton, destroying homes and infrastructure and risking loss of life.
Hult Dam, which impounds the 41-acre Hult reservoir, serves no flood protection or water retention purposes. If no action is taken, the existing dam will likely fail in coming years, or the reservoir will likely have to be drained to protect people and property downstream. The BLM recognizes that the area is a popular recreation destination, and proposed management options under consideration would continue to provide recreation opportunities, including fishing, camping, hiking and horseback riding.
Following a public meeting at the dam in September 2021 and open comment periods in January and April 2022, the BLM developed three management options for consideration in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement. These options address community safety, recreational use, habitat protection, and historical preservation:
- Remove and replace the existing dam in the same location;
- Remove the dam and build a new dam downstream, creating a “Little Log Pond” for recreational use; or
- Remove the existing dam and allow Lake Creek to flow naturally through the area.
“Public input proved instrumental in helping develop these alternatives and we are looking forward to hearing more from members of the community,” said Dennis Teitzel, BLM Northwest Oregon District Manager. “We’re also planning to announce an open house soon where the public may discuss options with experts and submit comments.”
The comment period opens Oct. 20, 2023, and closes Dec. 7, 2023. The public can submit written comments through the “Participate Now” option on the BLM National NEPA Register (preferred); via email to BLM_OR_NO_SIU_Hult_Dam_EIS@blm.gov; or delivered to Bureau of Land Management, Northwest Oregon District, ATTN: Hult Reservoir and Dam Safety EIS Team, 3106 Pierce Parkway, Springfield, OR 97477.
To view associated documents please visit the BLM National NEPA Register. For additional information, to receive quarterly updates or to be notified when an upcoming open house has been scheduled, please contact the project team at 971-213-4970 or BLM_OR_NO_SIU_Hult_Dam_EIS@blm.gov.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.