Lake Project

July 31, 2009

Friends,

Well, we are on the final phase in construction of the reservoir. We are encouraged that maybe we may have been able to recoup some of the losses we have experienced with our investments @ BBT before anymore money needs to go out. Also, we did not want to interrupt the camps in progress with construction activity. The last few days we have begun the dewatering process at the dam site. (a hole down to solid rock, with a pump)  With a little help from mother nature, we hope to be able to remove enough water so that we can attain adequate compaction for the core of the dam which has to be 97-98%.

Wish us luck! Mother nature has not been very helpful in getting the area dried out such that we can attain the proper conditions to finish the construction without a great deal more effort. If we can complete the project and demonstrate the reservoir is meeting the requirements for which it was built by Oct. 31, we can make application to the water court to make to make this contingent portion of our water decree absolute. If we can not make it by the Oct. 31, we will have to apply for an extension. Other than the application fee and some brain major damage on our part, an extension to complete the project will not be a problem.

George Over and Roy Grosbach have been incredible in helping us through the more difficult times and decisions that have had to be made. At the moment, Rosy & Darrel are being a tremendous help by monitoring the pumping in the dewatering process.

Construction has not been without its challenges. In the photo, the flagged string shows the water level at the dam. We should end up with two volleyball courts and some additional leveler area below the campfire ring.

Sincerely,

Howard & Jan Duncan

Here are a few pictures Howard has taken during the process.  Click on the pictures to see a bigger image.

Fall 2008.  Looking down from the tepee area to the valley floor - after the willows had been removed.  The stakes are to be the edge of the shoreline.  the line with the pink flags are to be the top of the dam
Fall 2008:  After some snow - earth being moved
Winter 2008:  Looking up the valley.  Water coming out of the side of the hill and freezing into a "ice fall"