News Release Archive

75th Anniversary of Owyhee Dam

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: July 09, 2007

Who and When: Saturday, July 14, 2007 - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The Bureau of Reclamation, Owyhee Irrigation District, and the South Board of Control.

What: Special event celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Owyhee Dam.

Where: The base of Owyhee Dam adjacent to Owyhee Lake Road, about 11 miles southwest of Nyssa, Oregon.

Why: To bring people together for a day of celebration and special events that will recognize those who struggled to build Owyhee Dam and to acknowledge the many benefits that are realized today as a result of their foresight and planning 75 years ago.

Important notes:

Reclamation Commissioner Bob Johnson will be on hand to deliver a keynote address during a brief ceremony at the base of the dam beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Background notes: " Secretary of the Interior Ray Lyman Wilbur delivered greetings from President Herbert Hoover at the dedication of Owyhee Dam during the original dedication 75 years ago. " Owyhee Reservoir irrigates about 120,000 acres of farmland that produces an abundance of crops. The reservoir is also a popular recreation spot that offers economic benefits to several nearby communities. " Three hydroelectric power facilities that were constructed between 1985 and 1993 are a reliable source of clean energy. " The dam was also the engineering prototype used for the construction of Reclamation's Hoover Dam in Nevada. " Over 500 million cubic yards of concrete were used to construct Owyhee Dam's massive 417-foot structure.

For more information:

Listen to audio files of the Owyhee Dam's 75th Anniversary at Reclamation's website: http://www.usbr.gov/pn/news/owyhee/index.html.

# # #

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.

Relevant Link:

http://www.usbr.gov/pn/news/owyhee/index.html