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Ashland will remove two small dams By SARA MURPHY ASHLAND -- Fish will soon swim a little easier in Ashland Creek. The Parks and Recreation Commission decided Monday to remove two small dams along the creek in Lithia Park. The move was prompted by an agreement the city made to improve the fish habitat in Ashland Creek when it received permission from the Oregon Division of State Lands to repair the stream after the 1997 floods. The two dams are located just above the park's playground. The commission previously had decided to remove a third dam near the tennis courts. Prior to Monday's decision, the commission looked at the option of building fish ladders in lieu of removing the dams, which create waterfalls popular among the park's visitors. That route, however, proved far too costly for the commission's pocketbook. "I am just really delighted that the right thing for the fish and the economics coincide on this one," said Commissioner Joanne Eggers, who favored removing the dams from the beginning. Scott English, a biologist with Northwest Biological Consulting, recommended the dams' removal in a report issued Wednesday. English was hired by the city to explore costs and options for improving the creek's fish habitat. The cost of removing the three dams would be $60,000, English estimated, plus another $35,000 to install a pump station to provide water for the park's lower duck pond. The second dam from the playground currently diverts water into the pond. Constructing fish ladders would cost the city as much as $220,000, English estimated. The city has $50,000 budgeted for the project, according to Ken Mickelsen, parks director. Though the estimated cost of removing the dams is nearly double the cash in hand, Mickelsen said using city crews to do the work should help keep the project within budget. The work will be done this summer, Mickelsen said. In accordance with environmental regulations, work in the creek can be done only between June 15 and Sept. 15, he said. During earlier discussions, some residents who felt the dams were historic expressed concerns about their removal. No residents spoke on the issue at Monday's meeting. Without debate, Eggers made a motion to remove the dams. "Let us remove the historic dams and restore the historic fish runs in our historic park," she said. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA