Balm Grove, Gales Creek, News

Community members get one last look at the Balm Grove Dam

Community members got an opportunity for one last look at the Balm Grove Dam before the old barrier—likely close to a century old, though a firm construction date is unknown—spanning Gales Creek comes down this summer. 

A number of Gales Creek residents and interested members of the public traipsed once more across a storied property that was at the center of Gales Creek tourism and recreation for most of the twentieth century. Now owned by Clean Water Services, the dam is scheduled to be removed this summer. 

On hand was Washington County Chair Kathryn Harrington, who also serves as chair of the board governing Clean Water Services. Harrington delivered brief remarks, and then visited the dam site, speaking with staff and residents about the property and removal project. 

“The Balm Grove Dam has been a recreational resource for many years in the community,” Harrington said, who was at Balm Grove for the first time. “I talked to people who have come here over the decades and have experienced the cool water of Gales Creek over the years.”

Harrington noted the extensive aquatic wildlife in Gales Creek, and called the Tualatin River tributary the best of fish habitat in the Tualatin River system. 

Work is expected to begin this summer when the in-water work window opens in mid-July. Once the dam is removed and restoration work completed, the fate of the property remains unknown beyond 2025, but Clean Water Services has said they do not plan to operate the site as a park.

Washington County Chair Kathryn Harrington and Tualatin River Watershed Council Executive Director Scott McEwen at Balm Grove on June 9, 2022. Photo: Chas Hundley
The Balm Grove Dam June 9, 2022. Photo: Chas Hundley
Washington County Chair Kathryn Harrington inspects the base of the Balm Grove Dam June 9, 2022. Photo: Chas Hundley
Gales Creek residents and others view information about the dam removal project at Balm Grove on June 9, 2022. Photo: Chas Hundley
+ posts

Chas Hundley is the editor of the Gales Creek Journal and sister news publications the Banks Post and the Salmonberry Magazine. He grew up in Gales Creek and has a cat.

Sign up for free Gales Creek news in your inbox ↓