John C. Boyle Dam
John C. Boyle Dam, floodgate open.
LocationKlamath County, Oregon, U.S.
Coordinates42°07′25″N 122°02′54″W / 42.123476°N 122.048345°W / 42.123476; -122.048345
Construction began1956–1958; 66 years ago (1958)
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsKlamath River
Height68 feet (21 m)
Length714.3 feet (217.7 m)

The John C. Boyle Dam is a hydroelectric dam located in southern Oregon, United States.[1] It is on the upper Klamath River, south (downstream) of Keno, and about 12 miles (19 km) north of the California border.[2] Originally developed and known as Big Bend, the John C. Boyle dam and powerhouse complex was re-dedicated to honor the pioneer hydroelectric engineer who was responsible for the design of virtually all of the Klamath Hydroelectric Project.[3]

The Boyle Diversion Dam includes several sections (earth-fill, concrete gravity, intake and spillway) that combine to form an overall crest length of 714.3 feet (217.7 m) with a height of 68 feet (21 m). The concrete spillway portion contains three gates and forms the John C. Boyle Reservoir. Fish screens, fish ladder, and related features are also present at the site.[4]

The dam produces power at peak times, meaning sometimes it produces electricity and returns water to the river; other times only a small amount of water is returned to the river. This causes a "bathtub" ring effect downstream of the plant's turbines.

The John C. Boyle Dam is one of four on the Klamath River that would be removed under the Klamath Economic Restoration Act.[5] As of February 2016, the states of Oregon and California, the dam owners, federal regulators and other parties reached an agreement to remove all four dams by the year 2020, pending approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).[6] As of October 2020, negotiations stalled. As of February 25, 2022, the FERC released their final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the dam's removal.[7] The dam is expected to be removed in 2024.[8] The social movement to Un-Dam the Klamath has been ongoing for 20 years.[9][10]

It is named after John C. Boyle (1899–1979), who was vice president, general manager, and long-time chief engineer of the California Oregon Power Company (COPCO), a privately held utility that served southern Oregon and portions of northern California.[11]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to John C. Boyle Dam.

References

  1. ^ "John C. Boyle Dam". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
  2. ^ "Pelican Network - Living with NaturePelican Network – Living with Nature".
  3. ^ http://newwww.pacificorp.com/File/File35389.pdf[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ http://newwww.pacificorp.com/File/File35389.pdf[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ Chris Lehman Clock Ticking For Klamath Dams Archived 2010-02-09 at the Wayback Machine Oregon Public Broadcasting, Feb. 4, 2010.
  6. ^ "New plan to remove Klamath River dams without help from Congress". 3 February 2016.
  7. ^ "FERC Staff Issues the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Hydropower License Surrender and Decommissioning of the Lower Klamath Project No. 14803 (P-14803-001) | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission". www.ferc.gov. Retrieved 2022-04-30.
  8. ^ "Major hurdle cleared in plan to demolish 4 Klamath River dams". opb. Retrieved 2022-04-30.
  9. ^ Hartel, Diana (25 May 2011). "Doctor's Orders: Undam the Klamath". High Country News.
  10. ^ "Dams Are Threatening California Salmon and a Native Tribe's Culture". VICE News. 22 October 2020.
  11. ^ "John C. Boyle (1887-1979)".
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