Raising Hagg Lake

[USS Minnow]

I suppose in the long run having a larger and deeper lake is better but I bet it will mess things up in the short term.
What do you think?


http://www.katu.com/stories/75028.html

John

[Striper Club]

Despite the county's intentions, flooding people off of their land is deplorable. As far as the fishing, I can't see much of an impact after a brief settling in period. The fish will adapt to the new cover in actually quite quickly.

[Wreckless]

If we could just get them to LEAVE THE TREES...

Yeah right.

I agree that flooding people out is outragous, I only hope they are WELL compensated...If that is possible

[MacFish]

I never felt 100% comfortable with the public good argument when it came to depriving people of what belongs to them. Would this be a measure 37 issue?

[bucketmouth]

The intent is to raise the Lake 40 feet. So far all that has been approved is a enviornmental impact study. They have about $250,000 in their coffers at this time. When they get around to actually raising the lake, they predict that they will need around $3 million. The impact study is slated to take around 18 months to complete. If they decide to go ahead with the raising of the water levels, work will not actually start until around 2010.

I do not know who or how many people will lose land from this deal.

I suppose that there will be an initial downturn in warm water species fishing success, however over all, the fishing should ultimately return to it's former glory.

(whoops, I corrected the typo, 40 not 10 feet}.

[Love Fishin']

Bucketmouth, they are now going for a 40' raise, not 10. I don't know when the switcheroo came about. I doubt if a 10' raise would displace anyone.

[FelonFinder]

My family is from Warren County, Ohio, close to Caesar's Creek Lake. The lake was created perhaps thirty years ago by damming the creek. Naturally, a lot of people lost their homes and land to the project. However, hundreds of thousands of people have learned to ski, fish, boat, jet ski, and other water activities. The lake offers some great multi-species fishing. The parallel here is not perfect since Hagg already exists. But more lake may mean more good times for thousands of people. It is always nice if everyone can get a good deal out of the project. It would be easier if lakeside residents looked at the positives that could be realized for so many people down the road. The same principle applies for any creation of a lake or reservoir.

[rebell]

As a property owner of water front property, I feel for the people who are going to lose land. It's a terrible thing, thinking about losing something you cherish.

The Hagg lake proposel brings up something I have alway's worried about. How do you replace something that is considered a family heritage? I understand the need for more water in the area, the way things are growing in the area, I can only think that more water will be needed sooner than later. I am sure people will disagree with me, but the families that will loose land should be compensated with equal property values. Has anyone recently looked in to lake front realstate? It's spendy!

As far as fish go, It will only help the warm water fishery. Sure there will be a downfall as the lake is lowered to build the dam. But as soon as water levels begin to rise, the fishery will explode! There will be more spawning haitat, and more of everything that makes a great warm water fishery.

This will cost more than what is projected. I will go out on a limb and say, 3 times the original estimates. The cost of buying out the property will be ridiculous, then there is the cost of building the dam. So before anyone backs this plan, you must first think to the future. Is it worth the cost? Do we really need it? I will be the first to say.....I havent got a clue!

I am all for the raising of Hagg lake, As long as it doesnt cost me a dime! That statement may sound greedy, but before you charge me anything, justify the cost! Then I will decide.

[rob allen]

well if the urban area needs more water i don't see anyway around raising the lake.. I would oppose with every fiber of my being the creation of more resivours and I would oppose removing water from any stream for that purpose. I would like to know more about the history of the lake.. When it was created was it thought at that time that it may need to be raised for increased demand? If so were landowners made aware of that at that time?

One thing I learned during the elections this fall people will lie to get what they want. Most people just don't know when they are being lied to and are too disinterested to search for the real truth..

NOW all I am saying is that I would need to know more background on the issue before i formed an opinion on the issue...

my opinion would be however that there is no way in hell they should be allowed to destroy more native fish habitat to meet the needs of "progress"

you'll always know my bass boat it'll be the one with the native fish society sticker

[sbasser]

It's sad that folks would have to sell their land, but it happens all the time for roads, freeways, airports, railroads, bridges, and all sorts of projects "for the greater good". Folks get a reasonable price for their land. The ones that have real history on a piece of land are the real losers.

Usually, these impoundments have the water levels raised over a period of years, something like 10' per year over 4 years. The fishing will be outstanding every time the water level is raised. Loose flotsam and logs will be floating around early in the year, so skiers and jetskiers may be tempted to go elsewhere. Gotta look for the positives.... C&R, Steve

[Gus Orviston]

Water is that necessary evil, we keep running out and Portland and the west side are growing so darn fast bull run can't keep up.

One of the alternatives for the valley water supply has been either raise the dam or put another dam in the next valley submerging Cherry Grove. Of the two options, raising hagg gets more water and displaces less people.

gus- living in the land of 3 Gorge dams and 3000 year old heritage going under water.

[hawgcatcher]

I wonder what happened to their plans to put a second lake in the valley next to Hagg Lake? The last I heard, it would carry the water sitution with the amount needed. I would think that it might even displace more people. Lots of plans but none may come through during my life time.

[ExBassGuide]

If they do end up raising the lake it WILL BE GREAT FOR FISHING! It will add Nutrients to the water and the lake will explode with bait fish and BASS. I do not control what they do about the lake level, but I will fish the lake more the next few years if they do!!!!
Roger