The El Dorado Irrigation District began the massive undertaking of drawing down Caples Lake last weekend to prepare for the replacement of deteriorated outlet works at the Caples Lake Main dam on Highway 88. Caples Lake is adjacent to Kirkwood near the northernmost region of Amador County and is a popular recreation area for Amador County residents. The District emphasizes that the dam structure itself is safe. However, the outlet works were recently found to be in unsound condition and must be replaced. The drawdown will cause higher-than-usual water flows for this time of year in Caples Creek and the Silver Fork of the American River, located in the Eldorado National Forest between Highway 50 and Highway 88. The flows are expected to remain unusually high through mid-September. During this time, the District warns that it is hazardous to be in or near the two streams and advises the visitors to camp on high ground away from the stream edge and avoid entering or crossing the stream.

The District is coordinating with the U.S. Forest Service to post signs at trailheads, in parking areas, and at campgrounds to alert visitors to the extremely higher water flows. On July 1, the District’s Board of Directors declared an emergency after an underwater investigation at Caples Lake revealed problems with two slide gates, located in a well-like shaft within the dam. Of particular concern is the lower gate that is about 64 feet under water when the lake is full. Late last week, District staff located a manufacturer who can furnish the replacement parts. The lake must be drawn down for the replacement work to proceed. Caples Lake is part of Project 184, the hydroelectric power generation system that the District acquired from the Pacific Gas and Electric Company in 1999.