Demolition of Lovelace Dam, photo by Rogue River Watershed Council
And another one gone, and another one gone and another one bites the dust, yeah!
(lyrics to “Another One Bites the Dust” by John Deacon, Queen)
Thanks to the diligence and hard work of WaterWatch and several local watershed councils, contractors, and agencies (along with donations from FCO members to the Flyfisher Foundation, and the federal funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), the Lovelace Dam on Slate Creek is history. This article in the Rogue Valley Times explains how the stars aligned to make the dam removal possible. And check out this post from Jefferson Public Radio that mentions the contribution from our Foundation!
Twenty-six miles of habitat for anadromous fish opened up when the dam was demolished in late July 2023. Slate Creek is a tributary of the Applegate River in the Rogue Basin. There are multiple fish passage barriers in the Rogue Basin and WaterWatch has aimed their efforts upon many of them. Plan to attend the Club meeting on September 12 to hear WaterWatch leaders share the demise of Lovelace dam as well as future projects on their agenda designed to increase free flowing rivers and streams for fish and wildlife. You helped make it happen! Let’s celebrate how the FCO gives back for the sake of fish!
Lisa Hansen
Slate Creek runs free, photo by Rogue Valley Watershed Council
