TRUCKEE — The federal Bureau of Reclamation could raise the dam at Stampede Reservoir in eastern Nevada County by 11 feet — but it wants public commentary first.

The 239-foot-tall dam at the reservoir north of Truckee was erected in 1970 and is generally used to regulate water flow for fisheries along the Truckee River and in Pyramid Lake, in Nevada.

“We do regular interval safety inspections, and some concerns came up related to high-flood events,” said Pete Lucero, public affairs officer for the mid Pacific region of the Bureau of Reclamation.

The proposal would give the reservoir more capacity during an extreme flood and more control over water release following a flood, Lucero said.

“It's a good way to resolve future issues,” Lucero said.

Under the federal proposal, the dam would be raised 11 feet with the construction of two rows of concrete panels, according to a press release.

The draft environmental assessment of the project — which will consider two alternatives; raising the dam or doing nothing — is scheduled to be completed early in 2010, and the bureau is looking for public input to help identify potential issues and concerns.

Those interested are asked to submit comments by Jan. 13 to Jane Schmidt, Bureau of Reclamation, 705 North Plaza Street, Room 320, Carson City, NV 89701, faxed to (775) 882-7592 or e-mailed to jcschmidt@usbr.gov. For questions, contact Schmidt at (775) 884-8372 or David Jones at (916) 978-5108.

Greyson Howard is a staff writer with the Sierra Sun in Truckee.