LAKEVIEW, OR — The Fremont-Winema National Forest announced this week that now through September 30th, Forest Service Road 3411620 will be closed to all public access during the construction phase of the North Fork Ditch Diversion Project. Barriers and signs will be placed at its junction with Forest Service Road 3411. Forest Service Road 3411620, which runs along portions of the North Fork Sprague River, is approximately 10 miles northeast of Bly. The road closure is to provide for public safety to hazards associated with heavy construction activity.
The Forest Service is upgrading a water diversion structure on the North Fork Sprague River that is the point source for the North Fork Ditch. The existing structure consists of a low diversion dam and a headgate. It diverts unscreened water to a ditch that delivers water to multiple irrigation users. The aging structure is being replaced with a state-approved fish screen to protect native fish from migrating down the diversion ditch and into irrigated lands with no chance of survival.
The project will further the conservation recovery efforts for bull trout and redband trout in the North Fork Sprague River watershed. Implementation of this project will also provide long-term benefits of improved habitat conditions for native fish species.
If you see local news happen, call the Horizon Broadcasting Group News Tip Hotline at 541-323-NEWS, or email us.
