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Dam Roll-gate Failures Spur Lawsuit

USGS

Eugene Water and Electric Board is suing the firm that designed and engineered a roll-gate lifting system on the Leaburg Dam. Two of the three gates have failed.

EWEB's Lance Robertson says it started back in 2012.
"The first of three roll-gates at Leaburg Dam failed, fairly catastrophically and we were in the process of repairing that one when the 2nd one failed in December 2014."
EWEB is suing MWH Americas Inc. which designed new motor hoists for the 100 ton gates in 2006. The gates themselves date back to the mid 1920s when the dam was built. The roll-gates regulate the flow of water through the Leaburg Dam on the McKenzie River, which generates electricity for Eugene. The lawsuit seeks at least 5 million dollars-- to recoup costs. EWEB has already repaired the first roll-gate that failed. The second is expected to be done later this year. The third one will get replaced next year.
 

Rachael McDonald is KLCC’s host for All Things Considered on weekday afternoons. She also is the editor of the KLCC Extra, the daily digital newspaper. Rachael has a BA in English from the University of Oregon. She started out in public radio as a newsroom volunteer at KLCC in 2000.
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