News Release Archive

Reclamation's Needles-Topock Bankline Stabilization Project Begins

Media Contact: Jack Simes, 928 343 8334, jsimes@lc.usbr.gov

For Release: June 28, 2006

The Bureau of Reclamation will begin construction activities related to the Needles-Topock Bankline Stabilization project on July 5, 2006. The bankline stabilization will prevent further erosion of a 2-mile portion of Colorado River shoreline on the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge (HNWR) in Mohave County, AZ.

Land-based heavy equipment -- excavators, graders, and dump trucks -- will be moved to the site beginning July 5, with construction activities commencing July 11. Construction will cease about September 30, and will resume on November 1. All activities are expected to be complete by the end of February 2007.

During this work, Reclamation will establish access roads from the protection levee, and place stockpiled rock, gravel, and river cobble along the eroded bank. Additionally, native willow and cottonwood trees will be planted to stabilize the soil to help prevent future erosion.

Heavy equipment will travel on the HNWR protection levee maintenance road to access the project site. Reclamation does not anticipate closing the road during this activity but, at times, may restrict vehicle access for safety reasons. The public is asked to use precaution while in this area, to not go around any construction barricades, and to obey all traffic signs.

For more project details, the final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact are available at http://www.usbr.gov/lc/yuma/programs/resource_management.html.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.