Can an estuary by restored by keeping the Capitol Lake Dam open?
No. Deschutes Parkway and other infrastructure around the lake were not built to withstand tidal action. Also, it isnt possible to move the large volume of water that is part of a high tide through the narrow opening 85 feet at the dam. The original Deschutes estuary opening, before European settlement, was estimated to be about 2,000 feet wide. Estuary restoration will require construction a new 5th Avenue Bridge with a 500 foot opening.
