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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend January 26, 2006 Earthen dam access denied Outdoor Journal By MARK FREEMAN Mail Tribune ASHLAND — Emigrant Lake anglers have lost vehicle access to the earthen dam on the lake’s northwest end, an apparent victim of its own popularity. The Talent Irrigation District this week installed an iron gate blocking access to the dam, which is off the Greensprings Highway en route to Emigrant Lake County Park southeast of Ashland. Anglers and walkers will still have foot access to the dam, which has a flat, narrow dirt road over the top. But vehicles will be restricted to a new lot just north of the dam. Anglers parking vehicles on the dam’s surface harmed TID workers’ ability to do their regular work there, TID Manager Jim Pendleton said. Advertisement Dam inspectors and employees doing brush removal and clearing woody debris from the water’s edge were hampered by traffic, Pendleton said. "There were times we’d go out there and there would be 20 cars," Pendleton says. "We’d have to button our crew up and send them home. "We wanted to make it as easy on ourselves as possible," Pendleton says. TID crews are responsible for regular visits to the dam, Pendleton says. Visual inspections of the dam for leaks are required monthly, Pendleton says. Also, the dam must be inspected after potentially dam-disturbing events such as storms, floods and even offshore earthquakes, he says. Less of an issue is security, Pendleton says. While the federal Bureau of Reclamation systematically has restricted public access to dams in the post-9/11 world, doing so at Emigrant Lake played a "minor" role in the decision to build the gate, Pendleton says. Anglers will be encouraged to use any of the multiple public-access spots around the lake. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 776-4470, or e-mail Earthen dam access denied ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations Casinos Canada dvd-r Generic Viagra Myspace Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Student Loans Sudoku Online Advertisement s