New Rose Creek floodgate installed

KELLOGG - A new flood control head gate has been installed on the culvert draining Rose Creek under Highway 3 south of Rose Lake, according to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.

"The new floodgate is designed to prevent a recurrence of lead-contaminated floodwater from the Coeur d'Alene River washing up into the Rose Creek culvert and flooding the Rose Lake community area," explained Terry Harwood, executive director of the Basin Environmental Improvement Commission.

The area flooded in January after the old Rose Creek State Highway 3 culvert installed in the 1930s was replaced without the floodgate, depositing sediment contaminated with heavy metals from past mining practices.

The old culvert collapsed as a result of rust and flooding in the 2010-11 winter season. The Idaho Transportation Department installed a new 72-inch diameter culvert, but the old floodgate did not fit the new culvert and was removed.

BEIPC and DEQ installed the new control gate on the outlet of the culvert in late-October and early-November. The Rose Lake Water Association will operate and maintain the new gate.

"Installation of the new gate will protect public health and the environment by ensuring that the river will not backwash into the community and adjoining areas during any high water that may occur this winter or next spring," Harwood said.