TD watershed needs an Act of Congress in move against climate change

Jan 27

U.S. House to consider The Dalles in Watershed bill

Red pin above shows location of Crow Creek Dam in The Dalles Watershed. U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz has introduced a bill to give 150 acres of U.S. Forest Service property near the dam to The City of The Dalles. The reservoir is 13 miles northeast of Mount Hood. Water is released from it into South Mill Creek that leads to the Wix Water Treatment plant.

By Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Jan. 27, 2025 — The $259 million overhaul of The Dalles Municipal Watersystem is now getting some national-level attention.

U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) has introduced a bill in the House of Representatives to transfer 150 acres of U.S. Forest Service Land to The City of The Dalles.

That’s a lot of work for 150 acres.

Location, location, location

The acreage is near the Crow Creek Dam, about 13 miles northeast of Mount Hood, which the city will eventually expand from 900 acre feet of water to 3,000 acre feet in years to come.

That’s an additional 683.7 million gallons or the entire average flow of the Columbia River at its mouth for 5 minutes and 45 seconds.

Gulp.

"This transfer is a necessary if The Dalles is to have the opportunity to expand its potable water resources," Congressman Bentz said in a Jan. 23 press release. "The cities water security is a top priority, and this legislation will provide at length the land needed to meet the city's future growth.”

“Climate change forecasts indicate that the Watershed will accumulate less snowpack and more rain in coming years,” said Matthew Klebes, The Dalles City Manager. “Increased storage of rainfall will be critical to meet the City’s future water demands and provide climate resiliency for the City’s water system. The needed capacity and safety enhancements to the dam will be greatly facilitated if the City owns all of the land impacted by the dam and reservoir.”

If the act is passed by the House and Senate and signed by Pres. Donald Trump, it will remove red tape as the city currently must apply for and receive a special use permit when using the property.

“Eliminating the special use permit that is up for renewal could save the city and Forest Service an estimated $150,000 in associated administrative costs,” said The Dalles City Manager Matthew Klebes.

Special Visit

Special use permits are used to manage and regulate activity that involves occupying or using National Forest System lands ensuring they don't harm the environment, and are compatible with the public's use of the land including construction of structures.
Klebes said Bentz introduced the bill after the local Community Outreach Team traveled to Washington, D.C.

“A recent outreach trip… contributed to a visit to our community by the Congressman and his subsequent support and action in submitting this legislation,” Klebes said in an email.

Klebes said the transfer of land will also:

Enable efficient operation and enhancements to the Crow Creek Dam and reservoir for safety and capacity improvements.
Eliminate the need for a perpetual special use permit, reducing administrative burdens.
Allow the city to implement comprehensive watershed management practices that prioritize water quality and forest health.

“The City of The Dalles relies on its municipal watershed for 80% of its annual water supply,” Bentz said in the press release. “Protecting this watershed is essential to maintaining water quality, meeting future demand, and ensuring public safety. The proposed transfer will allow the city to expand the size of its reservoir and allow much less red tape in taking action to protect city water infrastructure works and the cities watershed.”