Alexander Reservoir at center of Water Use Discussion

During a special meeting of the board of county commissioners last week, Commissioners Mark Mathews, Marty McCullough, and Bryce Somsen were joined by Emergency Services Director Eric Hobson, Road and Bridge Supervisor Kevin McLain, Planning and Zoning Administrator Helen Barker, and Building Supervisor Rowdy Larkins for a site tour of the Oregon Trail picnic spot and boat launch on Alexander reservoir.  JUB Engineering met with the group to discuss creating a master plan for the county’s planned campground/RV site on the location.

The campground plan came about as the result of the grant which will be used for that purpose, though there are other compelling reasons for the move.  For one thing, it was noted by both the commissioners as well as the engineer that having people in the area on a more consistent basis would prevent some of the vandalism that occurs with the floating docks and restroom facilities on site.  The potential for a camp host was discussed, though that would be well down the road in the process.

Another benefit to converting the area into a better equipped recreation and camping site would be to make better use of the existing resources, and provide another draw for those traveling through the area on the way to various national and state parks.  

With the engineer, the group discussed different ideas for creating privacy and wind screens through the planting of vegetation.  Both native and quick growing trees might be utilized to lessen the noise of the nearby highway and create a more pleasant environment for visitors.  Soils tests could be used to determine the most productive vegetation for the area, which is surrounded by land that was turned into a shoreline through the creation of the reservoir.

The master plan will be used as a starting point for determining how many RV spots will be created, how the shared camping areas and parking will be arranged, where restroom facilities will be located, and so on.

All of that having been said, a recent wrinkle to the plan has emerged as a result of Rocky Mountain Power determining that it was the entity with authority to set boating policy for the reservoir, as a result of its not being classified as a “navigable waterway” at the time of statehood. The legal and historical situation was raised with the county commissioners several weeks ago, when RMP announced their plans to look into boat regulation.

Obviously, changes to how the reservoir is allowed to operate, and what kind of watercraft will be permitted on it may have a big impact on the planning of the camp and RV facility.  The commissioners are in discussions in an ongoing way on the matter, and County Attorney Doug Wood is examining the relevant state codes governing the waterway. 

A public meeting on the issue has been scheduled by Rocky Mountain Power to discuss new boating restrictions at Alexander Reservoir Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Second Bridge Boat Launch, about 4 miles west of Soda Springs, Idaho, just off State Highway 30. According to a press release from Rocky Mountain Power, “the meeting will discuss the reasons for boating restrictions that the company is implementing in response to recent bank erosion on the reservoir shoreline.  Rocky Mountain Power supports public recreational activities at its hydroelectric projects in Idaho. This public benefit is part of the company’s core values, as well as a requirement of state and federal regulation governing the operation of these projects. Rocky Mountain Power strives to provide the broadest recreational opportunities possible while protecting the natural resources that visitors enjoy at the developments the company owns and operates.”

 The press release further relates that “The company has observed and is increasingly concerned about shoreline erosion at Alexander Reservoir near Soda Springs,” said Mark Stenberg, principal project manager with the company’s Bear River Hydroelectric Projects in Idaho. “Concentrated wake boat use in the western portion of the reservoir has caused significant shoreline bank erosion, which in turn impacts shoreline habitat and water quality. Other portions of the reservoir have also suffered recent bank erosion. Local users of the reservoir also report that this eastern area has seen a dramatic increase in ski boat activity.”

 The meeting will provide details on the boating restrictions the company is placing on the reservoir to prevent further erosion. These include designating the reservoir from the Second Bridge site to Soda Dam as a no-wake zone. On the remainder of the reservoir to the east, power boating is still permitted, but the creation of enhanced wakes is prohibited. In the eastern portion of the reservoir, the utility will be collecting additional information about watercraft use and bank erosion to inform future decisions. The meeting will also provide an opportunity to discuss typical requirements used in other reservoirs and lakes that support wake enhancement activities, such as distance from the shoreline and water depth. If you plan to attend the meeting, Rocky Mountain Power advises you to “please wear sturdy shoes as time will be allotted to walk the shoreline and look at areas of erosion.”  While the meeting was announced for the shoreline at the boat launch, weather or public interest may make the location less feasible, in which case the Enterprise will update readers on any changes.

There has already been a great deal of public interest in the announcement, and based on communication from the public to the paper, it is likely that there are many who have strong opinions on this subject moving forward.

RMP additionally noted, “We will continue to monitor the shoreline in the new no-wake-zone to see if the vegetation can recover and stabilize the banks,” Stenberg said. “Our hydroelectric project license with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission includes requirements to manage the production of electric power, protect the environment and provide public recreational opportunities. And we must at times balance these competing responsibilities.”

 The Soda Hydroelectric Project was completed in 1925 by a predecessor company of Rocky Mountain Power. The concrete gravity dam is 103 feet high and 433 feet long. The powerhouse is a three-story structure housing two turbine generator units with a combined capability of 14 megawatts. The dam impounds Alexander Reservoir, which has a surface area of approximately 1,100 acres, with a storage capability of 16,300 acre-feet of water.

 As both water and recreation rights are central to the lives of many of Caribou County’s residents, this issue is likely to pick up momentum as it moves forward.