News Release Archive

Reclamation Awards $6,487,408 Deer Flat Dam Contract

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

For Release: September 24, 2007

The Bureau of Reclamation awarded a $6,487,408 contract to Record Steel & Construction (RSCI) of Meridian, Idaho, for Safety of Dams work on the outlet works at the Deer Flat Dams Upper Embankment. The Deer Flat Dams are located about 25 miles west of Boise, Idaho.

The modifications are necessary to correct a seepage deficiency identified by Reclamation in 2004. An emergency was declared on May 13, 2005, and an emergency berm was placed around the Caldwell Canal outlet works intake tower as a temporary measure. The reservoir was also restricted 5 feet in elevation. Daily monitoring will continue until the modifications are completed.

"Reclamation is committed to ensuring that our dams remain safe and fully operational," said Reclamation Commissioner Bob Johnson. "This work at Deer Flat Dams is essential to public safety while also maintaining it as reliable source of irrigation water for southwestern Idaho."

Much of the construction will center on the removal and replacement of the Caldwell Canal outlet works conduit. The modifications will also include removing and replacing a 20-foot downstream section of the Nampa Canal outlet works. A new access road to the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters will be completed under a separate contact in order to provide access to the headquarters while construction takes place on the Upper Embankment.

The Modification Report for Deer Flat Dams Upper Embankment was approved by Congress earlier this month when a 30-day waiting period expired clearing the way for the award. RSCI has until the end of January 2009 to complete the work.

The Deer Flat Dams, consists of four earthfill structures referred to as the Upper, Middle, Lower, and East Dike, they were constructed by Reclamation in 1906-1908. Together the four embankments form Lake Lowell, which is a part of the Boise Project, Arrowrock Division.

Lake Lowell stores about 173,100 acre-feet of water when full and provides irrigation water to 50,350 acres while also offering additional recreation and wildlife benefits. The Deer Flat Dams are operated by the Boise Project Board of Control.

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