Lower Valley Energy is beginning the process of repairs to both its generator and dam at the upper reservoir in Swift Creek Canyon. The public is encouraged to avoid the reservoir for the time being, as water levels will remain low after a sluice gate failed on July 13.

“We got a camera down there a few days later after the water cleared up and found that the gate has failed catastrophically so we can’t operate it,” explained Lower Valley Energy CEO Bear Prairie during a live interview on SVI Radio Tuesday  morning. “Also the panels within the original steel have been destroyed and pushed out.”

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The failure caused the reservoir to drain, sending high water flows with mud and debris down the canyon. Logs and debris eventually blocked the broken gate, causing the reservoir to partially fill back up. “It stabilized the flows to the point that the reservoir is down a little bit but it seems to be holding at that level,” stated Prairie.

As plans for repairs are being made, Lower Valley was already in need of repairing the generator at the reservoir, which Prairie said has not been in operation for about six months due to a bearing that had failed. The timing allows LVE to pull the generator, opening up a path for water flow to bypass the river channel, allowing for the reservoir to completely drain and to repair the broken gate.

“It’s going to be a little bit,” continued Prairie when discussing the timeline for all the repairs to be made for both the generator and sluice gate. “We’re probably talking a couple of months before that thing is fully put back together. The biggest thing we want to do is make sure it gets built right.”

Although the water flow has stabilized, the water level at the reservoir will remain low. Prairie emphasized that the public should use caution around the area, stating that caution tape has been placed and asked that people do not cross jump on the sand bars.