Date: 8/26/09
Contact: Doug Nielsen
Phone: 702-486-5127 x 3500

NDOW-FEMA SCHROEDER RESERVOIR PROJECT BRINGS $500,000 TO LINCOLN COUNTY

For the first time in nearly 50 years, fish will be swimming through the site of Schroeder Reservoir in Beaver Dam State Park near Caliente. Schroeder Lake, a 15-acre reservoir built in the park in 1962, was topped by flooding in 2005 and the dam became unstable. The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) breached the dam and drained the reservoir for safety. Now funding totaling $500,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Nevada’s Question 1 Bond Funds will be used to restore the stream to a more natural state by the end of the year.

Natural sediment accumulation reduced the reservoir’s capacity by half, causing water to top the dam during heavy storms in January 2005. “Strict national dam safety standards along with the natural sedimentation problem made it unfeasible to repair the dam,” said Lisa Schettler, NDOW’s chief engineer. The dam was breached and the reservoir drained for safety, but this left thousands of cubic yards of unstable silt and sediment along the stream in the old reservoir basin. Now, thanks to funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Nevada’s Question 1 dollars, the dry bed of the reservoir and the stream will be stabilized and restored to natural conditions.

The project will bring much-needed economic stimulus to Lincoln County. FEMA is bringing three federal dollars to Nevada’s one for the project. Wilkins Trucking, the local
contractor awarded the project, will begin stabilizing thousands of tons of sandy silts and moving the remains of the earthen dam after Labor Day. Downstream properties such as the Mathews Ranch will benefit from reduced silt exposure.

According to Mark Beckstrand, NDOW’s fisheries biologist in Lincoln County, this project will also improve habitat for trout and native fish species by reducing sediment loads in Beaver Dam Wash and removing barriers to fish movement left in the stream when the dam was breached.

“The permitting process for this project has been extensive,” Schettler said. “We have county, state, and federal officials to thank for their cooperation. Steve Choquer, Lincoln County Road Supervisor, and the Lincoln County Commissioners agreed to allow several week’s access to their near Acoma Quarry along Beaver Dam Road,” Schettler said. “Caliente Bureau of Land management staff promptly processed a new pit permit for the excellent erosion control materials near the park,” Schettler said. Sunroc, a St. George, Utah heavy construction firm, will be quarrying and stockpiling material for the project in mid-August. “Cody Tingey, state park supervisor, provided valuable project support to the various study and design teams working up the plans and permits,” said Schettler.

Tingey said that due to heavy construction hauling with off-road mining class trucks, the park will be closed for the remainder of the season. Wilkins Trucking will place temporary traffic signage on two miles of Beaver Dam Road, between the quarry site near Acoma and the park access road will be intermittently closed for the several weeks as they will be hauling with large off-highway trucks. One-lane through traffic will be allowed from the quarry to the Enterprise turnoff.

Hunting access along the westerly rim of the park will be permitted as well, however, hunting within the canyon and construction zones of the park is not allowed for safety reasons. The park access road will reopen as soon as spring weather allows.

Nevada State Parks is working on an updated Park Master Plan, expected to be complete by spring. Once the stream is restored, NDOW will be able to resume seasonal planting of fish near the old dam site.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.