Saved!

If you read my last post I discussed the

possible flooding of our little mountain town, which is supposedly going to happen sometime in the next week. In preparation for that it was decided that the Hidden Treasure Dam up stream from Lake City, CO needed to come down.

The historic dam dates back to when electricity was needed to operate the Hidden Treasure Mine approx.1890. Seen above are crews removing the tops section of the dam, funded by state and national government funds. They then decided due to time constraints they would switch to making the bottom opening larger. The bottom section had opened up in a previous flood.

I found this old picture of a miner walking on top of the dam sometime in the early '20's

Most people visiting the area had never noticed this particular dam because it was down in a deep canyon craved out by the creek. The good news is that after enlarging to opening in the bottom of the dam..it was decided not to take the rest of it down. What a delight to save a part of our  local history!

 The impending flood in our area is big news and unfortunately journalist have been confused and have been publishing  photos of this dam a half mile up the creek saying this was the Hidden Treasure Dam. Indeed it is not. It is the Ute Ulay Dam which is part of the famous remains of the Ute Ulay Mine a favorite ghost town along the Alpine Loop and a place I routinely take my guests.

Stay tuned and I will let you know what is happening here! Wish us luck!