Wetlands to be restored and dam removed at Incline Lake

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit purchased Incline Lake on the north shore in 2011, and after it was deemed unsafe to development downstream it was drained.

Now they are planning on restoring the wetlands in the area and removing the dam.

“Removing the dam will allow us to address public safety concerns, protect water quality and improve aquatic and wetland habitat, while continuing to provide recreational opportunities, such as fishing in streams and enhanced wildlife viewing as a result of the restored wetlands” said Gibson. “Now that we have a decision on the future of the dam, we’ll be working to engage the community in planning for the entire 777-acre property, which is a spectacular addition to public lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin.”

The sellers of the property drained Incline Lake prior to completion of the acquisition by the Forest Service, and the lake has not been allowed to refill.

The Forest Service will remove the major dam and spillway and recontour the area to match the surrounding landscape. The minor dam would become a low-water crossing. A variety of techniques would be used to stabilize the area and reestablish wetland vegetation.

In the short term, the work would stabilize the site. Over 15-20 years, the project goal is to restore the 30-acre area disturbed by the dam to a series of small- to medium-sized ponds, fens and marsh.

“While rebuilding a smaller dam could be done in a way that provides some assurance for downstream safety now, risks will increase as the structure ages, and there is no assurance that an extreme weather or geologic event won’t cause a dam failure,“ said Gibson. “Rather than incurring additional liability and operations and maintenance costs for the Forest Service, I am selecting the action that best protects public safety and enhances the environment.”

The decision launches a 45-day period during which anyone who filed a formal comment on the project can file an objection to the decision, for review by Pacific Southwest Regional Forester Randy Moore. For more information, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/InclineDam.