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Forest Service reports sinkholes at Angel Lake Dam, plans repairs pending SHPO consultation
Summary
The acting district ranger said sinkholes and porosity at Angel Lake Dam required a temporary closure, spillway reinforcement and pumping to lower the lake; regional engineers have committed funds to armor the dam pending SHPO clearance as part of the NEPA process.
Wendy Markham, acting district ranger for the Humboldt district, told the advisory committee that inspections this spring revealed sinkholes forming on the crest of Angel Lake Dam and signs the dam had become porous enough to warrant concern. "We had to close the area down for a little bit," Markham said, and the office used large pumps and regional engineering resources to lower the lake and reinforce the spillway to reduce risk.
Markham said the regional office has committed some funding to "armor the dam, reinforce it, and hopefully fix the works," but the Forest Service still must complete consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office as the last NEPA step. She described no injuries or property damage during the event and said the work aims to preserve recreational access for Wells residents and visitors. Committee members asked whether the spillway changes would alter the environmental analysis; Markham said SHPO consultation remains outstanding and the timing for full repairs could come this fall or might wait until spring depending on regional funding availability.
