IS ROYAL GORGE LLC'S "EAST LAKE" A PAPER LAKE?

For some time now Royal Gorge LLC has proposed building new two lakes at "Lake Camp" which they have planned to cover the current Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort. "West Lake" has been touted as a recreational lake, and "East Lake" was planned as a place to store water they take from Serene Lakes, or from overflow into Serena Creek, a tributary to the wild and scenic North Fork American River.

Now, though, it seems that "East Lake" is in question. At Royal Gorge LLC's inaugural "breakast ramble" a few weeks ago, attendees were told several puzzling things about the future of water storage. They were told that "East Lake" might not be necessary, and also, that large tanks were an alternative for water storage. Tank farms are the new Sierra look, didn't you know? Also, the solution to all Royal Gorge LLC's water problems was trotted out again--the one they hold most dear, a dam on Serena Creek, upstream of North Fork American River. That's not a dam that will warm the hearts of downstream users, or of those who care about wilderness, and habitat protection, and, oh, never mind......

"East Lake" is the question of the day -- why this apparent shift in its fortunes? Well, Mike Livak knows much more about this than any of us, but sometimes he's been less than chatty in his response to questions. When he has been asked about geological issues, as he was at February's Sierra Lakes County Water Board (SLCWD) meeting, he's deferred answers to the EIR process. 

Here's a curious thing. Royal Gorge LLC has not only been proposing to build 2 lakes, they also propose to build subsurface irrigation (aka leach fields) to dispose of treated sewage effluent -- all pretty much in the same area.  The area is by and large granitic, with a shallow soil surface, with hard crunchy granite and tuff base rock -- sound like a good candy bar? Now maybe this terrain will be suitable for leach fields, or perhaps  it will be the perfect place to plunk a lake -- or, maybe it's the worst possible place to put either.  As to the new age leach field -- one would suppose the leachate should have something to soak into, instead of running off into Palisades and/or the South Yuba River's watershed, and tuff and granite aren't what you'd call absorbent.

Ah, so wouldn't this be a great place for a lake, if it's not absorbent? Not exactly- granite and tuff can also be riddled with cracks, and seismic events, which aren't strangers up here can cause new cracks. Royal Gorge LLC could make a big hole in the ground for "East Lake", but if it's an area with lots of fissures, pouring water into the hole will be like running the bathtub full speed, without bothering to put the stopper in.

Here's what I'm really wondering about "East Lake."  Wells at the summit are often chockablock full of unwanted toxic minerals, such as arsenic and manganese. Manganese, by the way, is receiving increasing attention, as new studies reveal that besides mucking up pipes and washing machines, it can have untoward health affects. These elements, as well as others, leach out of rocks into water. Might there be a chance that if "East Lake" were constructed, it would become Donner Summit's own special version of Love Canal?

Maybe it's better for everyone's health if "East Lake" exists only on paper.  But where will Royal Gorge store the water for their 1000+ unit development? After they find water, that is......