The Dalles, OR. — The City of The Dalles on Thursday released additional details about a near-miss safety incident at the Wick’s Water Treatment Facility that occurred early Wednesday morning.
City officials said a small slide broke loose roughly 500 feet above the treatment plant. A large boulder traveled down the slope, knocked down several trees, and came to rest near the door of the compressor building at the edge of the sediment basin.
The city said the boulder was slowed before it could cause significant damage to the basin. Minor damage was reported to a walkway and railing, and no injuries were reported.
City staff were on site Wednesday to assess the damage and evaluate hillside conditions. A senior engineer from Shannon & Wilson, Inc., with experience in rock slope stability and rockfall analysis, visited the site Thursday morning to conduct a formal analysis and provide recommendations, according to the city.
Officials said there is no impact to water treatment operations. As a precaution, buildings directly below the hillside are being kept unoccupied, but the facility remains fully operational and continues normal treatment functions.
City officials said that if an unlikely temporary disruption were to occur, The Dalles has adequate supply through operation of its wells.
The city said it will continue monitoring conditions and provide additional updates as information becomes available. Questions can be directed to Public Information Officer Amie Ell at amell@thedalles.gov.
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