Federal agency proposes decommissioning Hult Dam
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced Friday it wants to decommission Hult Dam in Blachly.
The BLM said it recommends removing the dam for safety reasons.
"Engineers determined that a large flood or ground instability could cause water to overtop or break through (breach) the dam," the agency said on its website, indicating that such a flood could reach Highway 36 and kill people in Horton.
The agency said the dam was built by Hult Lumber company in the 1930s or '40s, creating the Hult Reservoir. It never served hydropower, flood protection, or irrigation service, and today BLM manages it for recreation.
During the public comment period, most commenters said they preferred replacing the dam to maintain the reservoir and its local cultural and financial contribution. But BLM said it prefers removing the dam and releasing Lake Creek to flow freely, which would be cheaper. It proposes adding a new day-use area, campsite and trail in an attempt to balance the reduced water recreation.
BLM Northwest Oregon District Manager Dennis Teitzel will make a final decision no earlier than August 25.
Alan Torres covers local government for the Register-Guard. He can be reached over email at atorres@registerguard.com or on X @alanfryetorres.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: BLM wants to decommission Hult Dam
