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Hello, fellow anglers.If you haven't heard, there is a serious matter transpiring at Caples Lake that will likely impair this Sierra jewel for years to come.
In 1999, the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC) allowed the Eldorado Irrigation District (EID) to take over the FERC Project 184 license to operate Caples Lake from PG&E. FERC licensed EID to operate the Caples Lake reservoir and dam to provide recreational opportunities at the lake and water for consumers in Eldorado County.
Part of the FERC license dealing with recreation included a requirement that EID and the United States Forest Service establish a new day use and boat launch facility at Caples Lake. For several years, plans have been under way to construct this new public facility on the north shore of Caples Lake, separate from the existing Caples Lake Resort concrete boat launch, which is not useable at low water levels.
The construction project will be undertaken by EID and the United States Forest Service with a grant from the California Boating and Waterway Department. In order to construct the new launch, Caples Lake was to be drawn down from a full depth of 62 feet to about 32 feet by Oct. 1. Caples Lake Resort has been in favor of a new Caples Lake boat launch for 25 years and has endorsed the new facility. While the reduction of the lake''s level to 32 feet would curtail some of Caples Lake Resort's operations, it was anticipated that most recreational activities could be maintained, at least during the "high season."
In June 2008, EID did an underwater inspection of Caples Lake dam's two 36-inch gate valves - one at 30 feet and the other at 60 feet - that control releases from the lake. The inspection showed that the slide gate valves, which were installed when the dam was originally constructed in the 1920s, had deteriorated.
On July 1, in response to the underwater investigation, the EID Board of Directors declared an emergency and subsequently developed a plan to replace the gate valves either this year or in 2009. However, based on a public safety issue and the ability to procure the replacement gate valves, EID decided to proceed with an immediate plan to attain replacement gate valves and have them installed this fall at the same time as the boat ramp construction. This would ensure that the drawdown for both the ramp project and dam repairs could be completed in the same year.
Since the valves must be installed in a dry dam, Caples Lake must be drained to 6 feet, the level of the historical Twin Lakes at the bottom of the present 62-foot deep Caples Lake. If a cofferdam can be used to protect installation workers, the lake can be drained to a level of 11 feet instead. Obviously either level of drawdown is vastly different from the anticipated 32 feet needed for the launch construction.
The drawdown was started on July 20 and is to be completed by Sept. 20. The lake will be reduced from its maximum storage of 22,000 acre feet at a depth of 62 feet to an active storage of 584 acre feet at a depth of 11 feet (plus an approximate 600 acre feet from the original Twin Lakes).
So where will this water go? According to EID's first update released on July 24: Caples Lake draw down and slide gate replacement project affects recreational pursuits:
"We are also doing everything we can to ensure that water from the lake is not wasted during this dry year," said Steve Setoodeh, the district's department head for facilities management. "We're diverting some of the water to our powerhouse to generate state-certified 'clean' hydroelectric power, and we hope to divert another portion to Jenkinson Lake to help guard against a potentially dry year in 2009."
Notably absent from EID's update is any discussion of how the revenues generated from these uses will be used to re-establish the water level at Caples Lake needed to preserve recreation and the monies to re-establish the fisheries.
Naturally, John Voss, Alpine County resident and owner of Caples Lake Resort for the past 26 years, is concerned about the lake's thriving fishery and recreational opportunities if the lake's level is reduced to 6 or 11 feet:
Furthermore, Voss wants his following concerns addressed:
• Does this declared emergency, relieving EID from CEQA review for the Caples Lake dam outlet work, also relieve them of the responsibility to investigate and mitigate the environmental and ecological impact of this action?
• Where will the water go - and who will benefit?
• Will there be a "future water credit" to Caples Lake for the extra 9000 acre feet that EID is drawing out past the licensed minimum pool?
• Will the revenue derived from the water drawdown and diverted for consumptive use and hydroelectric generation be used to mitigate the environmental and ecological damages?
• Will the revenue EID receives from the hydroelectric power generated and consumptive water sales be used to re-establish the Caples Lake fishery?
• Shouldn't it be the responsibility of the FERC, the EID, the Department of Dam Safety, the California's Department of Fish and Game and State Water Resources Control Board and Alpine County to have a plan to salvage this fishery, as well as provide for public safety?
• What is the plan and what is the cost to save the doomed fishery - and who will pay for it?
• What guarantee is there that the new launching ramp will actually be completed during 2008, thus avoiding a second draw down in 2009?
• What is the plan for 2009 and thereafter to re-establish the fishery and reservoir level necessary to sustain recreational opportunities at Caples Lake and, by extension, assure the survival of Caples Lake Resort?
Trout - many trophy sized - now existing in the present 17,000 acre feet of water at a depth of 54 feet will only have a 1,200-acre lake and 11 feet of water to in which to survive in the fall and, if they survive, through the subsequent winter. According to the preliminary analysis by EID and the California Department of Fish and Game presented during the July 25 Ecological Resource Committee meeting, it was learned that the Caples Lake Fishery will be destroyed. The resultant deoxygenation from the crowded fish population, the usual 3 feet of ice on a much bigger Caples Lake and the water needed to meet fish flow requirements will cause this destruction. During the ERC meeting, it was stated that oxygenation, such as is practiced in the state's fisheries, would be prohibitive cost-wise for EID.
The Caples Lake fishery is teeming with mackinaw, German brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout, as well as other species. The mackinaw were originally planted in Caples Lake during the mid-1960s so some of these big fish are more than 40 years old. The "known lake record" for a mackinaw lake trout is 26 pounds, 39 inches and for a German brown trout the record is 13 pounds, 30 inches. While these are the records, many other trophy-sized fish have been caught this season.
At this time, neither the FERC, EID, California Department of Fish and Game, or the ERC has presented a plan for saving even one fish from this well-established fishery or for re-establishing the fishery. According to a statement in EID's first update, Caples Lake's drawdown and slide gate replacement project, the mission is to minimize impact.
"We are doing our best to balance and lessen impacts to the many resources that will be affected," said the district's environmental review manager Dan Corcoran. "As an example, for fisheries we are examining a number of alternatives, including construction of a temporary 'bladder' dam to hold water to sustain the lake and downstream fisheries during construction and throughout the winter. At this time, we don't know if that can be done."
Even if the fishery is quickly restocked after construction, it will take 7 to 10 years for the trout population to return to its current healthy and robust condition and 40 years for the mackinaw to reach the 26-pound, 39-inch size. If this "murder of the mackinaw" is allowed to proceed, this will indeed be an environmental and ecological crime.
After viewing both comments from Voss and the El Dorado Irrigation District, I spoke with Deanne Kloepfer, information officer for the EID.
It is my understanding that the EID is very concerned about the welfare and the future of Caples Lake. It must look out for the safety and well-being of the people who live downstream from the lake, as well as the safety of people who will be doing the work on the dam.
As Deanne described the work to me, "they will have to go down from the top of the dam and will be working in a 2-foot by 4-foot area." The workers need to replace the slide gates that have become deteriorated and worn over the years. The lake will have to be drawn to a level as to eliminate water in the area where the workers will be. Also at this time, they will be putting in a new boat ramp on the north side of the lake. As Deanne said, "This will eliminate them drawing the lake down two years in a row to do both projects."
I am not satisfied in my own mind that enough is being done. The EID is going to create a makeshift bladder-type dam to allow water to continue flowing throughout the winter. The water will have to be drawn as far as the collector on the bottom of the lake. This will leave the lake at a critical level for habitat and oxygen for so many fish. And as I see it, this winter when the lake receives 4 to 6 feet of ice and snow, the ensuing spring thaw will bring dead fish and a stinky mess. This is an unfortunate thing to happen to such a picturesque place in our environment and in our hearts.
I know from the conversation that I had with Kloepfer, the EID, CDFG and the forest service are working together on this project. I only hope they do not fail the fishery of Caples Lake. I will keep you updated as I receive more information on this important matter. If you want to be heard, send an e-mail to director@dfg.ca.gov or admin@eid.org. or you can blog at capleslake.wordpress.com.
For additional information, you can contact Kloepfer at (530) 622-4513 or Voss at (209) 258-8888.
In 1999, the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC) allowed the Eldorado Irrigation District (EID) to take over the FERC Project 184 license to operate Caples Lake from PG&E. FERC licensed EID to operate the Caples Lake reservoir and dam to provide recreational opportunities at the lake and water for consumers in Eldorado County.
Part of the FERC license dealing with recreation included a requirement that EID and the United States Forest Service establish a new day use and boat launch facility at Caples Lake. For several years, plans have been under way to construct this new public facility on the north shore of Caples Lake, separate from the existing Caples Lake Resort concrete boat launch, which is not useable at low water levels.
The construction project will be undertaken by EID and the United States Forest Service with a grant from the California Boating and Waterway Department. In order to construct the new launch, Caples Lake was to be drawn down from a full depth of 62 feet to about 32 feet by Oct. 1. Caples Lake Resort has been in favor of a new Caples Lake boat launch for 25 years and has endorsed the new facility. While the reduction of the lake''s level to 32 feet would curtail some of Caples Lake Resort's operations, it was anticipated that most recreational activities could be maintained, at least during the "high season."
In June 2008, EID did an underwater inspection of Caples Lake dam's two 36-inch gate valves - one at 30 feet and the other at 60 feet - that control releases from the lake. The inspection showed that the slide gate valves, which were installed when the dam was originally constructed in the 1920s, had deteriorated.
On July 1, in response to the underwater investigation, the EID Board of Directors declared an emergency and subsequently developed a plan to replace the gate valves either this year or in 2009. However, based on a public safety issue and the ability to procure the replacement gate valves, EID decided to proceed with an immediate plan to attain replacement gate valves and have them installed this fall at the same time as the boat ramp construction. This would ensure that the drawdown for both the ramp project and dam repairs could be completed in the same year.
Since the valves must be installed in a dry dam, Caples Lake must be drained to 6 feet, the level of the historical Twin Lakes at the bottom of the present 62-foot deep Caples Lake. If a cofferdam can be used to protect installation workers, the lake can be drained to a level of 11 feet instead. Obviously either level of drawdown is vastly different from the anticipated 32 feet needed for the launch construction.
The drawdown was started on July 20 and is to be completed by Sept. 20. The lake will be reduced from its maximum storage of 22,000 acre feet at a depth of 62 feet to an active storage of 584 acre feet at a depth of 11 feet (plus an approximate 600 acre feet from the original Twin Lakes).
So where will this water go? According to EID's first update released on July 24: Caples Lake draw down and slide gate replacement project affects recreational pursuits:
"We are also doing everything we can to ensure that water from the lake is not wasted during this dry year," said Steve Setoodeh, the district's department head for facilities management. "We're diverting some of the water to our powerhouse to generate state-certified 'clean' hydroelectric power, and we hope to divert another portion to Jenkinson Lake to help guard against a potentially dry year in 2009."
Notably absent from EID's update is any discussion of how the revenues generated from these uses will be used to re-establish the water level at Caples Lake needed to preserve recreation and the monies to re-establish the fisheries.
Naturally, John Voss, Alpine County resident and owner of Caples Lake Resort for the past 26 years, is concerned about the lake's thriving fishery and recreational opportunities if the lake's level is reduced to 6 or 11 feet:
Furthermore, Voss wants his following concerns addressed:
• Does this declared emergency, relieving EID from CEQA review for the Caples Lake dam outlet work, also relieve them of the responsibility to investigate and mitigate the environmental and ecological impact of this action?
• Where will the water go - and who will benefit?
• Will there be a "future water credit" to Caples Lake for the extra 9000 acre feet that EID is drawing out past the licensed minimum pool?
• Will the revenue derived from the water drawdown and diverted for consumptive use and hydroelectric generation be used to mitigate the environmental and ecological damages?
• Will the revenue EID receives from the hydroelectric power generated and consumptive water sales be used to re-establish the Caples Lake fishery?
• Shouldn't it be the responsibility of the FERC, the EID, the Department of Dam Safety, the California's Department of Fish and Game and State Water Resources Control Board and Alpine County to have a plan to salvage this fishery, as well as provide for public safety?
• What is the plan and what is the cost to save the doomed fishery - and who will pay for it?
• What guarantee is there that the new launching ramp will actually be completed during 2008, thus avoiding a second draw down in 2009?
• What is the plan for 2009 and thereafter to re-establish the fishery and reservoir level necessary to sustain recreational opportunities at Caples Lake and, by extension, assure the survival of Caples Lake Resort?
Trout - many trophy sized - now existing in the present 17,000 acre feet of water at a depth of 54 feet will only have a 1,200-acre lake and 11 feet of water to in which to survive in the fall and, if they survive, through the subsequent winter. According to the preliminary analysis by EID and the California Department of Fish and Game presented during the July 25 Ecological Resource Committee meeting, it was learned that the Caples Lake Fishery will be destroyed. The resultant deoxygenation from the crowded fish population, the usual 3 feet of ice on a much bigger Caples Lake and the water needed to meet fish flow requirements will cause this destruction. During the ERC meeting, it was stated that oxygenation, such as is practiced in the state's fisheries, would be prohibitive cost-wise for EID.
The Caples Lake fishery is teeming with mackinaw, German brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout, as well as other species. The mackinaw were originally planted in Caples Lake during the mid-1960s so some of these big fish are more than 40 years old. The "known lake record" for a mackinaw lake trout is 26 pounds, 39 inches and for a German brown trout the record is 13 pounds, 30 inches. While these are the records, many other trophy-sized fish have been caught this season.
At this time, neither the FERC, EID, California Department of Fish and Game, or the ERC has presented a plan for saving even one fish from this well-established fishery or for re-establishing the fishery. According to a statement in EID's first update, Caples Lake's drawdown and slide gate replacement project, the mission is to minimize impact.
"We are doing our best to balance and lessen impacts to the many resources that will be affected," said the district's environmental review manager Dan Corcoran. "As an example, for fisheries we are examining a number of alternatives, including construction of a temporary 'bladder' dam to hold water to sustain the lake and downstream fisheries during construction and throughout the winter. At this time, we don't know if that can be done."
Even if the fishery is quickly restocked after construction, it will take 7 to 10 years for the trout population to return to its current healthy and robust condition and 40 years for the mackinaw to reach the 26-pound, 39-inch size. If this "murder of the mackinaw" is allowed to proceed, this will indeed be an environmental and ecological crime.
After viewing both comments from Voss and the El Dorado Irrigation District, I spoke with Deanne Kloepfer, information officer for the EID.
It is my understanding that the EID is very concerned about the welfare and the future of Caples Lake. It must look out for the safety and well-being of the people who live downstream from the lake, as well as the safety of people who will be doing the work on the dam.
As Deanne described the work to me, "they will have to go down from the top of the dam and will be working in a 2-foot by 4-foot area." The workers need to replace the slide gates that have become deteriorated and worn over the years. The lake will have to be drawn to a level as to eliminate water in the area where the workers will be. Also at this time, they will be putting in a new boat ramp on the north side of the lake. As Deanne said, "This will eliminate them drawing the lake down two years in a row to do both projects."
I am not satisfied in my own mind that enough is being done. The EID is going to create a makeshift bladder-type dam to allow water to continue flowing throughout the winter. The water will have to be drawn as far as the collector on the bottom of the lake. This will leave the lake at a critical level for habitat and oxygen for so many fish. And as I see it, this winter when the lake receives 4 to 6 feet of ice and snow, the ensuing spring thaw will bring dead fish and a stinky mess. This is an unfortunate thing to happen to such a picturesque place in our environment and in our hearts.
I know from the conversation that I had with Kloepfer, the EID, CDFG and the forest service are working together on this project. I only hope they do not fail the fishery of Caples Lake. I will keep you updated as I receive more information on this important matter. If you want to be heard, send an e-mail to director@dfg.ca.gov or admin@eid.org. or you can blog at capleslake.wordpress.com.
For additional information, you can contact Kloepfer at (530) 622-4513 or Voss at (209) 258-8888.
