News Release Archive

Dredging Work To Start Above Imperial Dam

River Users Urged to be Cautious When Using Area

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

For Release: November 17, 2004

The Bureau of Reclamation is preparing to begin dredging a 50 acre open water area of the Imperial Reservoir, just upstream of Imperial Dam, on Monday, December 13. Mobilization of heavy equipment for the project will begin Monday, November 22.

The project is routine maintenance work to remove sediment from this area, to ensure continued water deliveries to the All American and Gila Gravity Main canal headworks. These two canals serve approximately 600,000 acres of farmland and surrounding Yuma area municipalities. Approximately 1.2 million cubic yards of material will be dredged from the site.

A large, floating dredge barge, work boats, and pipeline will be used during dredge activities. The equipment will be based at and launched from a site near Hidden Shore RV Park, on the Arizona side of the Colorado River approximately 20 miles north of Yuma, Ariz.

Dredging operations will run 24 hours a day, Mondays through Thursdays. No dredging will be performed Fridays through Sundays. The project is scheduled to be completed in approximately 18 months.

Reclamation does not anticipate closing the area around the dredging site, but boat traffic will be regulated for safety reasons. For additional safety, navigational hazards in the river channel will be illuminated at night.

Recreational users and water craft operators are encouraged to exercise caution and to stay clear of all dredging operations. Operational noise is expected to be minimal.

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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.