News Release Archive

Ken Rice New Area Manager of Reclamation's Lower Colorado Dams Office

Media Contact: Bob Walsh , 702.293.8421, rwalsh@lc.usbr.gov

For Release: May 12, 2008

Ken Rice, a 26-year Bureau of Reclamation employee, is the new Area Manager for Reclamation's Lower Colorado Dams Office (LCDO).

The LCDO manages, operates and maintains Hoover, Davis and Parker Dams and their associated power plants and facilities on the lower Colorado River. Through coordinated operations, these facilities deliver an annual average of 9 million acre-feet of Colorado River water to urban and agricultural users in Arizona, Nevada, California and Mexico. They also generate, on average, about 6 billion kilowatt-hours of power annually for use in the three states.

In announcing Rice's selection for the Area Manager position, Lorri Gray, Regional Director for the Bureau of Reclamation's Lower Colorado Region, said: "Ken brings a wealth of experience in managing hydropower facilities and in working with power customers, environmental groups, and other interests. He is a great addition to the Region's management team."

Rice previously managed Reclamation's Glen Canyon Dam at Page, Arizona.

As Area Manager, Rice will plan, direct, monitor and evaluate LCDO projects and programs, which range from completion of annual operations and maintenance programs at all three facilities to educational, informative and safe tours of Hoover Dam for more than 1 million annual visitors. He will also represent LCDO at meetings with stakeholders that range from water contract holders to power customers.

Rice began his Reclamation career in August 1981, as an apprentice operator at Yellowtail Dam and Powerplant in Montana. In 1983, he moved to Palisades Dam and Powerplant in Idaho, where he was ultimately promoted to manager. He was also the manager of Elephant Butte Dam in New Mexico before moving to Glen Canyon Dam in 1998. As manager there, Rice administered the entire facility and surrounding Reclamation lands.

He also worked closely with other federal agencies, and state and local agencies, power entities and others interested in and affected by Glen Canyon Dam operations.

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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.