A scientist and Coal Methane group are working together on a project to remove a damaged cement cap on the water intake for the Paonia dam. In addition, they are assessing ways to deal with the aging infrastructure of the dam in conjunction with the increasing amount of sediment deposited behind the dam. KVNF’s Eric Goold has more.
Ever since there were coal mines in the North Fork Valley, there has been the problem of what to do with methane byproduct that continues to pour into the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, at the Paonia Dam, another problem threatens the climate of the North Fork Valley. Years and years of mud and silt have built up against the Dam, creating a thick clay that is rapidly filling up the reservoir.