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Public regains access to Lost Creek Lake Photo by Mark Freeman Because of Sept. 11, Corps dams were secured because of the fear that bombing could lead to catastrophic flooding By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune TRAIL � Hikers, bikers and anglers are gaining back some access around Lost Creek Lake absent in the wake of heightened security after Sept. 11, but future visitors may be just as likely to see armed guards as welcome signs. Sport-anglers now are casting for trout off a walkway into the lake�s water-intake tower, and visitors can stroll or pedal across the top of Lost Creek dam, which spans the upper Rogue River near Trail. Public tours again are treading through the bowels of the concrete structure, and visitors are invited to park near the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers� dam office. "It�s been a long time since we�ve had cars in our parking lot, and it�s nice to see anglers walk past my window again," said Jim Buck, the Corps� project manager. The Corps historically let people come and go around the dam�s exterior as they pleased, but those opportunities were lost when government facilities underwent sweeping security increases after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Corps dams are part of that security because they are technically Army facilities and because of the fear that bombing a dam could lead to catastrophic flooding. Anglers better take advantage of their access this summer. Buck said tighter security measures are likely in the future, possibly even armed guards. "I think it�s just a matter of time before we see a higher level of security, and that probably means some sort of guard support," Buck said. "Going back to where there�s open access 24 hours a day is just not going to happen," Buck said. "What the public sees here this summer will be the most access, I think, they will find here again." While the dam viewpoint, water intake bridge and access across the top of the dam are open again, not all areas closed last September have re-opened. The hiking trail from the viewpoint to the dam�s powerhouse remains closed, and fly-fishermen casting in the so-called "Holy Water" impoundment at the dam�s base are still banned from the area immediately below the dam. Vehicles parking near the dam office must leave by 5 p.m. daily, and security cameras keep a close eye on the area during off-hours. Tours will be done only when arranged in advance by telephoning the Corps� dam office at 878-2255. "As with the majority of federal facilities, visitor access will never be quite the same," said Ron Howard, the Corps� park ranger at Lost Creek Lake. Buck made formal requests in January for regaining public access, and the changes were recently approved by Corps officials in Portland. Security increases were less apparent at Applegate Dam, which the Corps built and manages along the southern Applegate Valley. The park facilities around the lake are managed by the U.S. Forest Service, which was not under the same constraints as the Army Corps of Engineers. A county road also travels across the top of Applegate Dam, and closing that road was not practical, Buck said. However, there were stepped-up patrols of the area, and any future security increases at Applegate Dam likely would include guards, Buck said. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 776-4470, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2002 Mail Tribune, Inc.