News Release Archive

Reclamation to Install Security Gates at Anderson Ranch Dam

Media Contact: Venetia Gempler, (208) 378-5020, vmgempler@usbr.gov
Chris Beardsley, cbeardsley@usbr.gov

For Release: September 08, 2009

The Bureau of Reclamation will install a vehicle fixed beam barrier gate at Anderson Ranch Dam on September 8. Anderson Ranch is located on the South Fork of the Boise River about 28 miles northeast of Mountain Home, Idaho.

The single gate will be installed at the left abutment of the road across the crest of the dam. Disruption to traffic crossing the dam during construction is expected to be minimal. Work is anticipated to be completed within the next few days.

The purpose of the gate on top of the dam is to temporarily restrict access to the facility if there is a specific threat to the facility or if the Department of Homeland Security's threat level is raised to "severe" or "red." At all other times, the gate on top of the dam will remain open. At this time, there is no threat against the facility and the current threat level is "elevated" or "yellow".

The gates are part of a long-term goal to implement corrective actions for operational contingency and safety at three Federal dams in Idaho, with minimal inconvenience to the public. The other facilities that have been identified as requiring similar measures are Palisades Dam, located on the south fork of the Snake River, about 55 miles southeast of Idaho Falls, Idaho; and the Lower and Upper Embankments of Deer Flat Dams near Nampa, Idaho. Meetings have been held at cities near each of the locations to inform the public about the enhanced capability measures.

Long-term measures to permanently address operational and safety measures will be explored in collaboration with the public, county governments, the U.S. Forest Service, and other affected agencies.

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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.