Hanson Dam’s mysteries solved
Hanson Dam’s mysteries solved
It had the makings of a doomsday scenario. Two holes suddenly appeared in the dirt-and-rock abutment of Howard Hanson Dam after a drenching “Pineapple Express” in 2009. Even scarier was when muddy water began flowing from the dam’s drainage tunnel – an indication that something might be terribly wrong inside the abutment.
DREW PERINE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER FILE
A mysterious sinkhole is marked with tape on the earth abutment next to Howard Hanson Dam. The depression was found after the reservoir was lowered after flooding in January 2009. This photo was taken in February of that year.
Staff writer Rob Carson contributed to this report.
