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Flooded land's future unclear
June 29, 2006
By STEVE KADEL
H&N Staff Writer
Like a houseguest overstaying his welcome, flood water from the Geary Dike breach presents a ticklish problem.
Pump the water back into Upper Klamath Lake or just learn to live with it?
Property owners and operators discussing the issue haven't reached a conclusion, nor has an estimated cost been made if pumping is the choice. Meanwhile, the specter of legal action hangs over the issue.
Alice Kilham of Medford owns much of the flooded 2,000 acres. She leases the land to a farmer, whose agricultural equipment can be seen barely poking above the water surface.
Although not advocating lawsuits, Kilham acknowledged people have been assessing their legal positions.
Wetlands ‘fairly popular'
Turning the flooded area into a wetlands is a “fairly popular” option, she said. Water covers the area in depths estimated from 3 to 8 feet, but Kilham said land could emerge over time as Upper Klamath Lake's depth rises and falls due to water needs for irrigation and fish.
PacifiCorp maintains the dike under a 1920 agreement between Geary Investment Co. and PacifiCorp's predecessor Copco, PacifiCorp spokesman Dave Kvamme said.
“That agreement had us protect the dike and various lands,” he said. “Beyond that, a lot has happened since 1920.”
Kvamme said “reasonable parties” could interpret PacifiCorp's responsibility under the agreement in different ways.
“It isn't a simple situation,” Kvamme said.
Running Y development manager Jon Barkee said temporary dikes were built around the resort's third, fourth and fifth golf holes, which were submerged by the flood. Water was removed as of Tuesday, but only 15 holes were open.
“We are assessing the damage and making repairs,” Barkee said.
The Oregon Department of Transportation, which maintains Highway 140, is the other player involved.
Kilham doesn't believe the dilemma will be solved soon, but takes a philosophical view.
“It is so complicated,” she said. “We want to make the best solution for everybody involved. You have to look at everything as a challenge and an opportunity. You can't go crying around.” Running Y development manager Jon Barkee said temporary dikes were built around the resort's third, fourth and fifth golf holes, which were submerged by the flood. Water was removed as of Tuesday, but only 15 holes were open.
“We are assessing the damage and making repairs,” Barkee said.
The Oregon Department of Transportation, which maintains Highway 140, is the other player involved.
Kilham doesn't believe the dilemma will be solved soon, but takes a philosophical view.
“It is so complicated,” she said. “We want to make the best solution for everybody involved. You have to look at everything as a challenge and an opportunity. You can't go crying around.”
By STEVE KADEL
H&N Staff Writer
Like a houseguest overstaying his welcome, flood water from the Geary Dike breach presents a ticklish problem.
Pump the water back into Upper Klamath Lake or just learn to live with it?
Property owners and operators discussing the issue haven't reached a conclusion, nor has an estimated cost been made if pumping is the choice. Meanwhile, the specter of legal action hangs over the issue.
Alice Kilham of Medford owns much of the flooded 2,000 acres. She leases the land to a farmer, whose agricultural equipment can be seen barely poking above the water surface.
Although not advocating lawsuits, Kilham acknowledged people have been assessing their legal positions.
Wetlands ‘fairly popular'
Turning the flooded area into a wetlands is a “fairly popular” option, she said. Water covers the area in depths estimated from 3 to 8 feet, but Kilham said land could emerge over time as Upper Klamath Lake's depth rises and falls due to water needs for irrigation and fish.
PacifiCorp maintains the dike under a 1920 agreement between Geary Investment Co. and PacifiCorp's predecessor Copco, PacifiCorp spokesman Dave Kvamme said.
“That agreement had us protect the dike and various lands,” he said. “Beyond that, a lot has happened since 1920.”
Kvamme said “reasonable parties” could interpret PacifiCorp's responsibility under the agreement in different ways.
“It isn't a simple situation,” Kvamme said.
Running Y development manager Jon Barkee said temporary dikes were built around the resort's third, fourth and fifth golf holes, which were submerged by the flood. Water was removed as of Tuesday, but only 15 holes were open.
“We are assessing the damage and making repairs,” Barkee said.
The Oregon Department of Transportation, which maintains Highway 140, is the other player involved.
Kilham doesn't believe the dilemma will be solved soon, but takes a philosophical view.
“It is so complicated,” she said. “We want to make the best solution for everybody involved. You have to look at everything as a challenge and an opportunity. You can't go crying around.” Running Y development manager Jon Barkee said temporary dikes were built around the resort's third, fourth and fifth golf holes, which were submerged by the flood. Water was removed as of Tuesday, but only 15 holes were open.
“We are assessing the damage and making repairs,” Barkee said.
The Oregon Department of Transportation, which maintains Highway 140, is the other player involved.
Kilham doesn't believe the dilemma will be solved soon, but takes a philosophical view.
“It is so complicated,” she said. “We want to make the best solution for everybody involved. You have to look at everything as a challenge and an opportunity. You can't go crying around.”
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