RECONS TRUCT ION OF WI LDERNESS DAMS IN MONTANA

摘要

Thousands of dams are located on Forest Service lands in the Western United States. Most are relatively small embankment dams (under 50 feet in height). Their small size masks significant complexities associated with their repair and maintenance. Many of the dams are located in remote wilderness areas with tightly controlled access. The history surrounding the establishment of dams on federal lands is filled with a familiar mix of politics and entrenched special interests driving decisions on all sides of issues surrounding the dams. This complex mix has led to the relatively complicated environment under which most currently operate. How wilderness areas came to be established with boundaries that include some dams but specifically exclude others adds an additional degree of complexity. The paper attempts to wade through this complex history by first giving a brief synopsis of policy establishing rights on Forest Service lands. The discussion ultimately transitions into issues surrounding the reconstruction of dams in wilderness areas and the techniques and approaches that are allowing their reconstruction. Two case studies will be briefly discussed. The first case study shall centers on the reconstruction of Canyon Lake dam, which involved the use “traditional” construction techniques (horses, hand labor, fresnos, shovels, pics) integrated with modern construction techniques to lower project costs. The second case study centers on Tincup Lake Dam where the use of very small mechanized equipment allowed the realization of more than 90% savings on the original projected costs of reconstruction.