Category: Event  Date: 2024-09-29

Dam To Be Completed October First

The Mitchell Dam located two miles north of Hill City is rapidly nearing completion and according to Ralph D. Cypher, camp superintendent, the project should be finished by October 1. At the present time the crews are at work building the concrete spillway and upon the completion of that will finish off the riprapping. The men that have been working on this dam have done a fine piece of work and they are to be commended on the quality of the work done as well as the speed in which it has been accomplished.

The Mitchell Dam, when completed, will be another fine asset to the Harney National Forest and will serve not only as a water and game conservation unit but will also be a focal point for recreational purposes. At the present time the lake is approximately two feet below the spillway level and with a maximum depth of about 22 feet.

Major Overflows

The Major Dam, which has been the experimental project for the bentonite process, is full at the present time with a fair amount of water going over the spillway. This seems to indicate the success of the bentonite process for the stopping of water seepage and no doubt it will mean a great deal for future earth dam construction.

Camp Grounds Improved

A crew of men under the direction of Foreman Hanson are at work landscaping and making other improvements at the Major Lake campground. The beach has been sanded and guard rails and fences are being built. This lake has already become a popular mecca for the citizens of Hill City and the surrounding territory. According to reports fish are to be planted in the lake soon and this will add greatly to the recreational value of the dam.

Hill City Mitchell Dam project should be finished by October 1.