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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is asking for public comment on the LaPrele Dam demolition plan

A very old black and white image of LaPrele Dam being built. Ice coats some of the stabilizing logs.
On verso, "La Preele Ditch & Reservoir Co Dam 1909."

This story is part of our Quick Hits series. This series will bring you breaking news and short updates from throughout the state.

The Army Corps of Engineers and the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality are reviewing aspects of the controlled demolition of the LaPrele Dam near Douglas.

On Nov. 1, the state engineer ordered the destruction of the failing 115-year-old dam by April 1. The announcement was made following inspections that found new cracks on the front face of the structure, suggesting near-irreparable damage to the dam’s foundation.

State officials, land owners and locals have been in discussion on how best to handle a situation that the state engineer referred to as an “emergency.”

Despite a search for alternatives, the LaPrele Irrigation District is proposing to mechanically breach or blast the 135-foot-tall concrete dam. Some concrete would partially remain within the dam’s footprint, some would be placed in a rubble chute in LaPrele Creek to prevent excessive erosion and some would go in optional disposal areas.

The district is also proposing to use fill material within the creek and reservoir bed to build equipment access ramps to the north side of the dam, a structure to capture sediment and debris from demolition and for a southern access road.

The blast is scheduled to happen before April in an effort to avoid spring runoff, but the state has considered the possibility of taking action sooner should the dam deteriorate faster than expected. Emergency permitting procedures have been approved, according to the Corps, in the event that expedited action is required.

Members of the public have until Jan. 13 to send comments or request hearings under the emergency procedure notice. Written comments, referencing Public Notice Number NWO-2024-01927, can be sent to:

Paige Wolken, Project Manager

US Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District,

Wyoming Regulatory Office

2232 Dell Range Blvd

Cheyenne, WY 82009

Email: Paige.M.Wolken@usace.army.mil

This reporting was made possible by a grant from the Corporation For Public Broadcasting, supporting state government coverage in the state. Wyoming Public Media and Jackson Hole Community Radio are partnering to cover state issues both on air and online.

Jordan Uplinger was born in NJ but has traveled since 2013 for academic study and work in Oklahoma, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. He gained experience in a multitude of areas, including general aviation, video editing, and political science. In 2021, Jordan's travels brought him to find work with the Wyoming Conservation Corps as a member of Americorps. After a season with WCC, Jordan continued his Americorps service with the local non-profit, Feeding Laramie Valley. His deep interest in the national discourse on class, identity, American politics and the state of material conditions globally has led him to his internship and eventual employment with Wyoming Public Radio.

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