If crews get the money to dismantle a dangerous dam in the Willamette River between Eugene and Springfield, they’ll first have to build another dam.
This one at least would be temporary, unlike the Millrace Low Head Dam itself. That nearly century-old dam from a bygone era of energy infrastructure lurks below the surface, and for years it has trapped kayakers and floaters passing through. Dams like this are often called “drowning machines” because of their powerful recirculating currents that swirl like a washing machine.
City of Eugene staff and partners hosted an open house Monday, Nov. 9, in a packed room in the downtown library and presented recommendations to remove the concrete portion of the dam that runs parallel to the Interstate 5 Bridge…