Public Information Portal Archive Red Willow Dam/Hugh Butler Lake, Neb.

  • 8/12/2011 – Reclamation extends bid opening date to August 23. Reclamation has extended the bid opening date to allow time to respond to contractor questions. An award date is still expected in September.
  • 8/2/2011 – Reclamation extends bid opening date to August 16. Reclamation issued an amendment to the specifications extending the bid opening date to August 16. A contract award is still expected by September with construction beginning later this year. Construction is currently estimated at approximately 26 months.
  • 7/27/2011 - Reclamation Issues Plans and Specifications for Red Willow Dam Repair
  • 7/27/11 - Reclamation advertised plans and specifications for the repair on July 5 and the bid opening date is tentatively scheduled for August 9. A contract award is expected by September with construction beginning later this year. Construction is currently estimated at approximately 26 months.

    The work to be performed includes the following: excavation of the existing embankment and toe drain; construction of filter/drainage blanket; placement of geonet composite on the excavated face of embankment; construction of two stage sand filter and coarse sand drain system; placement of a geotextile on coarse sand and gravel drain; construction of a downstream stability berm; construction of a two stage filter drain in the channel and slopes downstream of the spillway and outlet works stilling basins; repair limited portions of upstream dam face; construction of a toe drain system with monitoring wells.
  • 4/04/2011 - Reclamation continues to proceed with activities at Red Willow Dam with an intent of making a contract award for construction in the fall of 2011.
    1. Investigations and exploration at the dam continues with a drilling program to help define foundation conditions and identify borrow material needed for the repair. These activities will continue through late spring.
    2. Grouting of the outlet works and spillway stilling basin drain systems is scheduled for late April and early May. Grouting is necessary to treat suspected voids in the foundation of the stilling basin structures.
    3. Reclamation recently completed a review of the proposed design with an independent Consultant Review Board (CRB). The CRB is comprised of independent consultants with expertise in dam safety and dam construction. The purpose of the CRB is to validate activities associated with project development, ensure that fatal flaws have not been overlooked and provide recommendations toward improving the project.
    4. Reclamation has also completed a Value Engineering Study (VE Study). The purpose of the VE study is to focus on the development of alternatives that satisfy essential functions at the highest value.
    5. The Modification Report will be sent to the Office of Management and Budget this spring and to Congress for final approval of the modifications. An Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact will accompany the Modification Report.
    6. Reclamation is currently preparing plans and specifications for the repair which will be completed this summer for advertisement.
  • PowerPoint Presentation, 11/18/10: Red Willow Dam - Dam Safety Activities
  • Information bulletin, 10/22/10: Red Willow Dam
  • News Release, 8/09/10: Red Willow Dam Report Expected Fall 2010
  • Information bulletin, 6/23/10: Red Willow Dam
  • Information bulletin, 6/14/10: Red Willow Dam
  • Information bulletin, 5/19/10: Red Willow Dam
  • Red Willow SRA cleanup day – Red Willow State Recreation Area is planning a shoreline cleanup day Saturday May 8, from 9 a.m. to noon. Organized by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Bureau of Reclamation, the cleanup is planned to clear trash while the lake is at its current low water level and before vegetation starts growing. It is also planned as part of the Take Pride in America Day. Trash bags will be provided, and ATVs will not be allowed. For more information, contact Nik Johanson, Park Superintendent of the Red Willow SRA at (308) 345-5899.
  • Aerial Seeding of Red Willow Dam
  • Information bulletin, 3/25/10: Red Willow Dam
  • Information Bulletin, 2/24/10: Red Willow Dam
  • PowerPoint Presentation, 2/18/10: Red Willow Dam - Dam Safety Activities
  • News Release, 2/09/10: Reclamation schedules Public Information Meeting on Safety of Dams Issues at Red Willow Dam
  • Information Bulletin, 2/09/10: Red Willow Dam
  • Information Bulletin, 01/27/10: Red Willow Dam
  • Information Bulletin, 01/20/10: Red Willow Dam
  • Information Bulletin, 01/06/10: Red Willow Dam
  • Weekly Bulletin, 12/23/09: Red Willow Dam
  • Weekly Bulletin, 12/09/09: Red Willow Dam
  • News Release, 12/11/09: Red Willow Dam Investigations Continue
  • Daily Bulletin, 12/09/09: Red Willow Dam
  • Daily Bulletin, 12/07/09: Red Willow Dam
  • Daily Bulletin, 12/03/09: Red Willow Dam
  • Daily Bulletin, 12/02/09: Red Willow Dam
  • Daily Bulletin, 11/30/09: Red Willow Dam
  • Daily Bulletin, 11/27/09: Red Willow Dam
  • Daily Bulletin, 11/25/09: Red Willow Dam
  • Daily Bulletin, 11/24/09: Red Willow Dam
  • News Release, 11/20/09: Red Willow Dam Investigations
  • Fact Sheet, 11/20/09: Red Willow Dam, Nebraska
  • Fact Sheet, 11/20/09: Dam Safety Overview
  • Daily Bulletin, 11/12/09: Red Willow Dam
  • Daily Bulletin, 11/10/09: Red Willow Dam
  • Daily Bulletin, 11/09/09: Red Willow Dam
  • News Release, 11/06/09: Reclamation Temporarily Closes Road Across Red Willow Dam
  • Daily Bulletin, 11/05/09: Red Willow Dam
  • Daily Bulletin, 11/04/09: Red Willow Dam
  • Daily Bulletin, 11/03/09: Red Willow Dam
  • Daily Bulletin, 11/02/09: Red Willow Dam
  • News Release, 10/30/09: Reclamation Modifies Operations at Red Willow Dam
  • News Release, 10/28/08: Reclamation Crews Inspect Red Willow Dam
Last Updated: 5/22/15