Council hears Rim Lake dam proposal to capture up to 4,500 acre‑feet for local use

Council member Steve Sanger presented a conceptual plan during the workshop on Feb. 17 to build a small dam at the bottom of Rim Lake to capture overflow that now bypasses local systems, potentially storing an estimated 4,500 acre‑feet of water.

Sanger said the springs feeding the system historically produce large volumes and that capturing the overflow would provide a multi‑year backup supply and recreational amenities. "If we can figure out how to build a dam, I think we could keep 1,000,000,000 gallons of water 8 miles outside of town," he told council (presentation, SEG 2768–2850).

Why it matters: the proposed storage would materially increase local water security and create opportunities for recreation and habitat management, but it would also require coordination with the Bureau of Land Management, potential partners who hold grazing/land rights and federal NEPA review. Council and staff discussed water chemistry concerns for the basin (alkali levels), the need for engineering studies, and potential grant opportunities identified at the WAM conference.

Council members asked technical questions about storage capacity and treatment; public works staff said they would collect and report existing reservoir and tank capacity figures and noted that NEPA and BLM approvals would be required before moving forward.

Next steps: Sanger said the presentation is an initial concept and that BLM concurrence is required. Council asked staff to identify engineering, permitting and funding steps, and to investigate possible grant sources before bringing a formal project proposal for council consideration.