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Commissioners hear update on Hammerhorn Lake rehab, wilderness redraw forces reconsideration of diversion
Summary
Mendocino National Forest and partners plan campground renovations and a possible solar pump to replace a gravity diversion now located inside a wilderness area; estimated project costs discussed and grant opportunities mentioned.
Commissioners heard a field report from a recent site visit to Hammerhorn Lake with Mendocino National Forest staff and partners and discussed rehabilitation plans and access challenges introduced by a recent redrawing that placed the lake’s diversion site inside a wilderness designation.
Commissioner Patty described the forest’s plan to renovate campsites and bathrooms through a program with the California Deer Association and noted that re‑mapping has put the lake’s original diversion in the wilderness, removing legal access to that diversion. She said the forest and partners are evaluating a solar‑powered pumping station to move water from downstream pools back up to the lake and that the Forest may seek grant funding to support that work.
Commissioners discussed preliminary cost estimates introduced during the site visit. Patty recounted two figures mentioned by partners: one suggested cost of about $3,040,000 and a lower estimate near $1,015,000. She said partners thought a modern 2–3 inch pipeline with a solar pump might deliver more water reliably than the older 4‑inch mainline the site previously used.
The commission discussed other recovery efforts at the site following the 2020 fire, including volunteers’ dredging and revegetation work, and noted that forest staffing shortages mean some projects rely on outside partners such as the California Deer Association and conservation districts. Commissioner Patty suggested seeking technical‑assistance (TA) grants as a first step to prepare larger grant applications.
Commissioners raised practical concerns about access, long travel times for crews, and the need for a management plan for the site. They noted opportunities to involve local vocational programs and universities for planning and monitoring and suggested the commission track grant applications and coordination between the Mendocino National Forest, county road crews, and local partners.
No formal motion or vote was taken. Commissioners agreed to monitor grant opportunities and to invite additional partners to future meetings if the work advances toward formal proposals.
