There have been numerous articles and letters on this subject recently and
more over the years. Ten years ago when the idea of increasing the lake
holding capacity came up, the powers in charge suggested raising the height
of the dam by 10 feet for many millions of dollars.
My suggestion at the time was, and still is, mine the dirt during the low
water season. There are 50 years of top soil that has washed into the lake
which is a valuable resource.
I was told by a reliable person that lived
here in 1961 that at final construction there was 40 feet from the bridge to
the lake floor under it. It may be 20 feet now. This could be mined by
private contractors and sold to the public, both retail and wholesale. This
would increase the holding capacity without taxing the public while
providing a valuable product and employment.
If we take the approach of
raising the height of the dam when we need to increase capacity, it will be
a never ending project. Think of this on a personal basis. Some of us let
our garage, barn or workshop get full and we have no more storage space.
Does it make sense to build another building and keep all the crap? I would
think that most of you would have a garage sale and bring in some needed
money while getting your space back. The problem is solved using common
sense!
I will not put myself up as a structural engineer as to the safety of the
dam but will raise some questions. I have not been able to discover any
earthquakes close enough to Porterville to be of danger to the dam.
If in
fact the dam needs to be reinforced, why not build a concrete reinforcement
at the back of the present earthen dam without buying all the private
property down stream of the dam?
By mining we won't have to increase the
dam and highway by ten feet which will cost untold millions of dollars and
have to divert traffic for months or years.
This solution is cost saving and creates jobs but I will bet that someone
will take pot shots at it!
Right from Springville ...
