For the week of Sept 25 - Oct 1, 2002

Dredging to shift channel in Big Wood

---

By GREG MOORE
Express Staff Writer

In an effort to decrease erosion along the Big Wood River near Bellevue, Blaine County’s flood control district will dredge enough gravel from the channel to shift the flow to a more protected area.

The county commissioners approved a stream-alteration permit Monday for the district to remove about 6,000 cubic yards of material along a 1,000-foot section of the river just north of the Broadford Bridge.

Flood Control District #9 Commissioner Greg Mann told the commissioners that the channel is now dewatered along the river’s east side next to a levee.

"The river has not been up against the levee for at least two or three years," Mann said. "The flow has been forced over against the west bank, which is unprotected."

Mann said dead trees and stumps in the river will be anchored along the levee to provide fish habitat.

He said work will begin within two weeks.

Though supportive of the project, County Commissioner Dennis Wright pointed out that it isn’t a permanent fix.

"There’s been an awful lot that’s come down the river and been deposited in certain areas," Wright said. "There’s nothing much else you can do but take it out."

Mann said the district will inspect the area after next year’s high water to see how the change affects the river downstream.

Idaho’s flood control districts were created by state government, and the three local commissioners are appointed by the Department of Water Resources. Flood Control District #9 has an annual budget of $50,000, though Mann said none of the money was spent during the past two years due to drought conditions.

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.