BOISE, Idaho – The road across Lucky Peak Dam will close on Wednesday, Oct. 19, for several weeks due to dam safety equipment installation and construction, according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials. Vehicle access to day use areas or boat ramps at Barclay Bay, Turner Gulch, and Foote Park/Lydle Gulch will be blocked by construction equipment until further notice. Idaho Parks and Recreation’s Spring Shores Marina and boat ramps will remain open.
This construction is part of the Corps’ Dam Safety Action Classification (DSAC) program efforts and a series of interim risk reduction measures to improve public safety. In 2009, Lucky Peak Dam received a DSAC-III “high priority/conditionally unsafe” rating, primarily because of an unconfirmed potential for seepage and potential foundation instability during a large earthquake. The work includes drilling, plus the installation of two piezometers to measure underground water levels and pressures. This helps evaluate the potential for erosion of the dam core due to internal seepage.
Lucky Peak visitors should be aware of construction vehicle traffic in the vicinity of the dam and access roadways. Visitors should also avoid any construction zones. For more information, call the Lucky Peak office at 208-343-0671.
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Release no. 11-143