Written by Susan Kemmis for Small Towns, Big Dreams
“By 1920, the Buckhorn and Scout Mines [along with the Hoosier Boy, Boston, Keystone, Lucky-Three, Last Chance, and Wee Fraction] were under ownership of the Cynide Gold Mining Company, Ltd. Equipment, lumber, and supplies were brought up to the mines over the Eileen Bridge and wagon road. A power plant was a primary need, so construction began in 1923 on a concrete dam over the Moyie River with eighty-five employees. Land was purchased from John Beck and stocks sold to more than 150 stockholders. By June of that year, the power plant was only half complete. Six transformers were purchased along with ten miles of transmission line to carry electricity to the mines. Construction continued through 1924. The dam was rated as one of the largest in north Idaho. Made of concrete, it measured 150 feet long, 58 feet high, and two feet thick at the top, with a base width of twelve feet. The concrete mix included twenty-pound railroad rails on three foot centers (both vertically and horizontally). The arched dam, with a timber lined spillway at the east abutment which rested on shale rock, was built at a cost of $75,000 and was ready to operate by the end of 1924.
Doomed from the beginning, the project did not survive the spring runoff waters. On May 19, 1925, high water destroyed much of the natural rock formation on the dam’s east abutment. Mine workers witnessed the shale rock flake off like shingles. The dam did not fail. All blame was placed on the shale rock. Efforts to sell more stock to finance repairs weren’t successful, so no repairs were attempted…..
All that remains of Eileen, Idaho is the railroad track and the large concrete structure from another time. White water rafters are awed by a spectacular view of the amazing feat to harness the river as they float the Moyie.”
Photos from the Terry Howe Collection