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Officials say Magic Dam shows seepage, 'boil' activity; federal regulators to brief county
Summary
Blaine County Disaster Services Coordinator Chris Corwin reported federal regulators identified seepage, boil activity, and a spillway concern at Magic Dam and recommended lowering the reservoir’s maximum storage level; the Big Wood Canal Company disputes the findings and federal officials are expected to brief the county at a future meeting.
Disaster Services Coordinator Chris Corwin told the Board May 26 that federal regulators have raised safety concerns at Magic Dam, citing reported seepage, ‘‘boil’’ activity, and an issue with the spillway, and recommended lowering the reservoir’s maximum storage level pending further review.
Corwin said the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission representatives were unable to attend the May 26 meeting but are expected to present at a future session to provide detailed information. Commissioner Muffy Davis said she was generally familiar with the situation and supported hearing directly from federal officials.
The Big Wood Canal Company is disputing the regulators’ findings, according to the report presented to the Board. Corwin described the county’s coordination with regulators and the need for further technical briefings before operational decisions are made.
Separately, Corwin outlined evacuation‑planning work, reporting that predefined evacuation zones are largely complete and that staff are developing a public‑facing mapping system that integrates real‑time layers such as fire perimeters, lightning, and evacuation status. The county intends to prioritize public access to these mapping resources and integrate road‑closure and resource links.
