The most durable public works project never built is, at long last, history. The State Water Resources Control Board has scheduled a hearing on the revocation of the Bureau of Reclamation water rights intended for use at the non-existent Auburn Dam.
Auburn Dam was originally conceived in the 1970s, in the twilight of the great dam building era. But issues like cost, concerns about earthquake safety and environmental impacts, and doubts about its necessity for flood control or water supply dogged the project from its inception. Nevertheless, the project was resurrected repeatedly by politicians with some local support. They claimed that the project would provide needed flood protection, water supply, and/or power for northern California. The fact that construction would mean millions of federal dollars pouring into the foothills didn't hurt the popularity of the cause with local politicians either. Republican Rico Oller tried briefly to have the project funded with state money. The lately disgraced John Doolittle built a career around advocacy for Auburn Dam. When Doolittle recently decided to retire in the wake of a corruption scandal and federal investigation, it was probably inevitable that his favorite pork barrel project would follow him into retirement.
USBR had previously allowed the American River to return to its original bed, effectively abandoning its attempt to build the dam. But rescission of the water rights is an even stronger indicator that the project is, at long last, dead. Rest in Peace, Auburn Dam. You won't be missed.
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