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HAMILTON - Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor Julie King is ordering crews to begin emergency repairs to the Canyon Creek Dam in the mountains west of Darby.

The Canyon Creek Irrigation District reports that the earthen dam needs immediate repairs in order to keep it from possible failure, which the U.S. Forest Service says could lead to extensive property damage and danger to people downstream.

King gave the go-ahead for repairs to start this week, so the work can be finished before winter storms. She says there's a "short timeframe" to finish the repairs while water levels are low and weather is favorable, especially since the dam is at 7,500 in elevation.The dam's spillway can be blocked by ice and snow in the late winter, making this the optimal time for repairs.

The agency's permission clears the way for contractors to use a helicopter to bring materials to the site, and repair a sinkhole in the dam's embankment.