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Future of Sullivan Lake dams could affect docks, beaches

Two century-old dams built to power a cement plant have helped turn Sullivan Lake into a popular camping spot on the Colville National Forest. The dams keep the lake level high during the summer recreation months. Courtesy of Nan Berger of the Colville National Forest (Courtesy of Nan Berger of the Colville National Forest / The Spokesman-Review)
By Becky Kramer beckyk@spokesman.com(509) 459-5466
Two century-old dams built to power a cement plant have helped turn Sullivan Lake into a popular camping spot on the Colville National Forest. The dams keep the lake level high during the summer recreation months. Courtesy of Nan Berger of the Colville National Forest (Courtesy of Nan Berger of the Colville National Forest / The Spokesman-Review)

Sullivan Lake, a high-traffic camping and boating spot in northeastern Washington’s Selkirk Mountains, owes part of its popularity to two small dams.

Built nearly a century ago, the dams once powered the Inland Portland Cement Co.’s operations in nearby Metaline Falls. Though their electric generation ended decades ago, the two dams still play an important role in recreation. Without the reservoirs they create, Sullivan Lake’s summer pool would drop by nearly 25 feet, stranding public boat docks and leaving swimming beaches high and dry.

The future of the aging dams is under discussion by the Colville National Forest and the Pend Oreille Public Utilities District. Beginning April 1, the two agencies will kick off a series of public meetings about the dams.

“If the dams are removed … our two boat launches are out of the water,” said Nan Berger, recreation specialist on the Newport and Sullivan Lake ranger districts.

“We would either have to build extensions or move them.”

The dams are a money-losing venture for the Pend Oreille PUD, which acquired them in the 1950s, said Bob Geddes, PUD manager.

The utilities district receives about $80,000 annually from downstream users for the water released from Sullivan Lake each fall. That doesn’t cover the cost of the dams’ upkeep, Geddes said.

The federal license to operate two dams expires on Oct. 1.

Because of the expense involved, the utility has opted not to renew the license, Geddes said.

Since the dams are relatively small, Pend Oreille PUD has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to waive the need for a federal license.

The request, if granted, would be one possible avenue for the dams’ continued operation after Oct. 1, Geddes said.

The Forest Service and PUD hope to engage the public and local tribes in the discussion. The 2 ½-mile-long lake is located in the midst of 500 acres on the Colville National Forest.

Sullivan Lake attracts sport fishers, who come for the populations of kokanee and lingcod, or burbot. On summer weekends, three Forest Service campgrounds fill up with crowds from Spokane, the Tri-Cities, Canada and even Seattle, Berger said.

A small landing strip allows people to fly in and camp.

There are also 14 private residences located on Sullivan Lake through special use permits, whose docks would be affected by changing lake levels, Berger said.