BOISE, Idaho — Ada County is looking to get out of the dam business and is hosting an open house Tuesday morning for potential bidders to view Barber Dam.
Commissioners announced in December that they were starting the process of selling the dam, which has been owned by the county for more than 40 years.
The county took control of Barber Dam after the original owners failed to pay taxes in 1977.
Commissioners voted to auction off the dam and is asking for a minimum of $1 million. The auction will be held at the Ada County Courthouse at 10 a.m. on March 30.
Currently, Barber Dam is operated by Fulcrum, LLC, and Enel Green Power North America, Inc, which sells the electricity the dam generates to Idaho Power.
Bidders will have time to inspect the dam before water flows begin in the spring. They will also have to show that they are financially capable of owning and operating the dam and meet guidelines set by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, according to county officials.
This is the first scheduled public viewing. It runs from 8 a.m. until noon.
A second public viewing will be held on Feb. 25 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Barber Dam is located on East Sawmill Way in Boise.