Remember When?

30 YEARS AGO • MAY 23, 1991

HIGH FLOWS DISRUPT DAM TRASH BOOM

While farther downstream in the Columbia River system managers would love excess water to dedicate to salmon, Bob Brickzin would just as soon have that water there and not causing problems with the Thompson Falls dam.

Saturday the dramatically increased runoff flow coupled with what is believed to be corrosion in a coupling device broke 19 sections of the south boom free in the Thompson Falls reservoir and slammed those units into the dam, where they remained pinned by the pressure from the high spring flow.

The mishap caused additional debris to build up and resulted in an increased effort to free additional spillway capacity so more water could be sent downstream.

Brickzin said the smaller "dry channel" dam was opened to capacity Sunday as well and panels were pulled from the main dam and then two courses of boards.

Meanwhile river flow in the Clark Fork through Thompson Falls, swollen by heavy rain and warm weather, increased from 31,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) early in the week to over 62,000 cfs this week.

Brickzin said he wasn't sure what kind of success to expect, not knowing exactly how much pressure was being put on the boom.

Fellow worker Steve Saint estimated about 18 inches of spillway capacity was blocked due to the lodged boom sections.

The situation also wasn't helped by store management upstream where increased quantities of water were released through Kerr Dam near Polson and Hungry Horse Dam. Eventually all of the water flows through the Clark Fork and into the Columbia River system.

Brickzin said this was the second time in the 7-year history of the south boom that it has broken free and lodged against the dam.

The crane called in to assist in retrieving the loose boom sections reportedly had a capacity of 5,000 pounds.

HIGH WATERS YIELD TROPHY FISH FOR GRAND OPENING

While the Clark Fork River flowed bank full, high and muddy, it still proved to be the best water for fishing according to the results of a big fish contest held in conjunction with the grand opening of Krazy Ernie's Emporium.

Ernie Franke reported that the top fish in each of the four categories were caught in the river, including the top trout, a 4 lb. 2 oz. bull trout caught by Ron Legault of Thompson Falls. Legault reportedly caught his lunker on a yellow daredevil while fishing the Clark Fork near Thompson Falls.

Likewise the largest squawfish, bass and pike were taken by Walt Franke capturing two of those honors. Franke, also of Thompson Falls, landed a 17.25 inch, 3 lb. 12 oz. bass with a spinner baited with a worm near Noxon. His record pike was landed in the Clark Fork with a panther martin lure. The fish weighed in at 11 lbs. 2 oz. and was 32 inches in length.

Finally, John Hanly of Noxon landed the largest squawfish of 23 inches, 4 lbs. 2 oz. with a silver panther martin below the Thompson Falls dam.

Legault and Franke won a rod and reel each for their fish while Hanly took home a new tackle box.

Graves Creek: Origin of name – Because of two graves a short distance west of Graves Creek. The graves are still outlined with rock.

It is said that many years ago two men who were carrying some gold over the old Kootenai Trail hired a Native American guide and when they reached the point where the graves are still located, the guide killed them with a knife, took their gold and left the men lying there on the ground. They were found later and buried. The graves were marked with stones.