EWEB conducts more investigative drilling along Leaburg Canal
EWEB began drilling at multiple points along the Leaburg Canal this week to better understand the makeup of the canal embankment and the geology underlying the canal.
Sections of the Leaburg Canal Trail will be closed to visitors during drilling. Signs will mark trail closures to protect visitors from hazardous work and machinery.
The drilling program plan is a necessary step to inform EWEB’s strategies to mitigate dam safety risks.
EWEB closed the Leaburg Canal intake in 2018 and suspended hydropower generation at Leaburg Dam due to safety reasons after discovering internal erosion and excessive seepage through the canal berm. Since then, further studies have revealed that sections of the canal embankment are vulnerable to excessive stormwater flows and earthquakes.
EWEB commissioners voted in 2023 to decommission the Leaburg Hydroelectric Project rather than invest in the extensive repairs needed to bring the facility back online in compliance with regulations.
While EWEB continues developing long-term plans to decommission the facility in the next decade, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has mandated that EWEB must address near-term risks that the canal’s vulnerabilities pose to the buildings and residents of the McKenzie River corridor.
EWEB has already completed work to reduce canal flows by improving its ability to convey tributary and storm water to the McKenzie River. EWEB already removed the turbine runner of one of the generating units in the Leaburg Powerhouse to accelerate flows out of the canal and is currently working on removing the second turbine runner. Additional risk reduction measures include enhanced monitoring and adaptive operational protocols.
Other proposals to reduce near-term risks include rerouting large tributaries along more direct paths to the McKenzie River. The drilling program will inform these plans.
Residents with any questions as to the work going can contact EWEB by emailing LeaburgInfo@eweb.org or by calling 541-685-7439.
For emergencies or suspected dam safety issues, please call the Leaburg Duty Operator at: 541-852-1906.
