News Release Archive

Final Phase of Deer Creek Dam Repairs on Schedule

Media Contact: Don Merrill, (801) 379-1074, dmerrill@uc.usbr.gov

For Release: February 15, 2008

The third and final phase of modification work underway at Deer Creek Dam located in Provo Canyon, is on schedule for completion in the late fall or early winter according to Bureau of Reclamation and Provo River Water Users Association (PRWUA). Deer Creek Dam has been undergoing improvements as part of Reclamation's Safety of Dams (SOD) Program which involves regular inspections of dams throughout the 17 Western states to identify and correct deficiencies and improve seismic performance.

Phase III seismic modification work began in October 2007 to improve the spillway control structure and raise the dam crest which will allow these structures to withstand a large seismic event. The improvement work at Deer Creek which began in June 2004 has been a successful collaborative effort between Reclamation, PRWUA, and the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT). Phase II work was completed by UDOT as part of their highway improvement project in Provo Canyon.

In order to facilitate the construction work, the water level in the reservoir was lowered through a cooperative approach involving PRWUA, who operates and maintains Deer Creek Dam under contract with Reclamation. The 2008 reservoir level will be kept 40 feet below normal until the construction work is completed. "We anticipate that recreational opportunities will again be available at the reservoir by mid-spring as the reservoir rises," said Keith Denos, PRWUA General Manager. "Larger releases from the dam may be necessary in the spring with the current runoff at 111 percent of average."

Until the reservoir level returns to normal, water will continue to be acquired by the June sucker Recovery Program for the benefit of the endangered fish. As in previous years, water will be released from Jordanelle Reservoir upstream on the Provo River to support spring spawning which occurs at the lower portion of the Provo River. PRWUA, Central Utah Water Conservancy District, Reclamation and other Utah resource agencies are partners in the June Sucker Recovery Program working cooperatively to manage spring flow releases.

Deer Creek Dam is the main feature of the Provo River Project, constructed from 1938 to 1941. The earth embankment structure stores water to provide for the municipal and irrigation water needs of large portions of Utah and Salt Lake Counties.

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