RAINBOW LAKE

First, thank you to all of the people who so generously donated to the Rainbow Lake Conservation Company and helped us exceed our initial goal of $500,000.

 

Our first large project, replacing the terribly inefficient and seeping ditches downstream from the dam with 1600 feet of 24 in diameter pipe, was completed last spring. It was a remarkable success, will last decades, and dramatically reduced the amount of water being lost from the lake.

 

How does this benefit us? Eliminating water loss from seepage, evaporation, and theft means the Irrigation Company needed to take about 50% less water from Rainbow Lake during the irrigation season. While other lakes were dry last summer, Rainbow Lake remained navigable for the entire year. Fishing was good and the eagles, ospreys, and waterfowl had a pristine environment.

 

Our next large project is replacing the headgate and repairing the pipe from the headgate under the dam. The headgate is the original, from when the dam was built 120 years ago. As you can imagine, it no longer works as it was designed. The gate and its concrete enclosure are in terrible shape. The concrete has crumbled and no longer supports or protects the gate. The gate is so corroded that it cannot be closed completely. Water continues to drain out of Rainbow Lake even during the 6 months when it is not required for irrigation.

 

The Rainbow Lake Conservation Company is working with the Irrigation Company and a team of engineers, architects, and contractors to determine what needs to be done to replace the headgate and how much it will cost. The initial estimate, which includes the professional fees, a remotely operated submersible camera, construction of a coffer dam to allow construction without emptying the lake, coordination with several government entities, the headgate itself, installation, and much more, is about $500,000.

 

We are asking everyone to help raise enough to complete this project. Our plan is to complete the work in early fall, just after the irrigation season ends and before winter. Please consider donating to this cause and keeping Rainbow Lake the jewel of the White Mountains.

 

Your tax deductible donation may be mailed to the address below, using PayPal or Zeffy, or on our GoFundMe fundraising campaign. Click here to donate.

 

We have just 6 months to raise $500,000. Please donate today!

 

Thanks for your support!

 

Dave Derickson, President & Managing Director

Rainbow Lake Conservation Company

1049 Lakeshore Drive

Lakeside, AZ 85929

 

Rainbow Lake Conservation Company is a  501(c)(3) Charitable Corporation