Idaho Falls Power dams off portion of Snake River - East Idaho News
Idaho Falls

Idaho Falls Power dams off portion of Snake River

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IDAHO FALLS – Idaho Falls Power has lowered water levels on the Snake River as part of a sediment removal project, and the city wants you to stay away — even if you have gold fever.

The first step of the project was to lower the water levels on the river by opening head gates of the Upper Hydropower Plant north of the city for the first time in more than a decade.

Many people in downtown Idaho Falls said they saw the river rise up to 3 feet in some sections when the gates first opened Friday morning.

Behind the gates, water levels dropped as much as 6 feet.

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Upper hydropower plant cofferdam | Stephan Rockefeller, EastIdahoNews.com

Crews have started building a cofferdam, or temporary earth dam, intended to stop the flow of water so crews can remove sediment that has built up over the last 30 years.

The cost of the dam is estimated at more than $350,000. The cost to remove the approximately 75,000 cubic yards of sediment that has built up over the past 30 years is figured at just more than $300,000.

The sediment will be placed on the adjacent island and revegetated after project completion.

The removal of the sediment is intended to enhance the productivity of the upper hydropower plant. Initial estimates are that the plant will produce at least 5 percent more power when the project is complete.

Idaho Falls Power will also be taking advantage of the lowered water level to rebuild the boat launch on the east bank of the river adjacent to the project. The access point to the boat launch is on North 5th East. Just over $140,000 was budgeted for the boat ramp.

Don’t look for gold

A gate on the access road to the plant, North 65th West, is closed to prevent people from entering the area.

Idaho Falls Power is requesting that the public stay clear from the banks of the river on the stretch between Tower Road and County line Road as crews work to remove the sediment.

Workers at the plant say that several people have shown up on the project hoping to mine the sediment for gold. One supervisor told EastIdahoNews.com that he wants people to know the sediment is very dangerous to walk on and those who enter the area will be asked to leave as they are trespassing.

Although access to the area directly around the plant will be closed for the duration of the project, the surrounding roads are not closed to the public.

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Sediment due for removal | Stephan Rockefeller, EastIdahoNews.com

Idaho Falls Power has worked closely with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Idaho Fish and Game and the Army Corps of Engineers to plan, coordinate and obtain permits for this project.

The project will continue until Oct. 30.

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