News Release Archive

Addendum to Environmental Assessment Calls for Temporary Road Closure at Bowman Dam

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

For Release: March 15, 2011

The Bureau of Reclamation is notifying the public that an addendum to an Environmental Assessment related to the construction of a parapet wall on Arthur R. Bowman Dam will require a temporary road closure following Labor Day 2011.

This early notification of the road closure is intended to inform the public and to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regarding the addendum. Arthur R. Bowman Dam is located on the Crooked River about 20 miles southeast of Prineville, Ore.

Reclamation will correct safety deficiencies at the dam by constructing a 6-foot high concrete parapet wall to the upstream crest of the dam and raising a portion of the spillway walls by 2-feet. To complete the project and protect public safety, Reclamation will close access to Oregon State Highway 27 for about 26 days beginning immediately after Labor Day through October 15, 2011.

An alternative route will require travelers leaving Prineville to take Oregon Highway 126 (Ochoco Highway) to George Millican Road, then south to Southwest Reservoir Road, east to Highway 27, which eventually turns north to the Powder House Cove boat ramp.

Crews will post signs explaining detours and alternate routes well in advance of the construction activity.

Kirby Nagelhout of Bend, Ore., was awarded a $938,742 construction contract to do the work on September 27, 2010.

Arthur R. Bowman Dam was constructed by Reclamation from 1958-1961. The dam impounds Prineville Reservoir which has an active capacity of 152,800 acre-feet. The facility is part of the Crooked River Project that serves multiple purposes such as irrigation storage, flood control, fish and wildlife enhancement, and recreation. The Ochoco Irrigation District operates and maintains the dam under federal contract with Reclamation.

The Bowman Dam Environmental Assessment can be found online at http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/ea/oregon/bowman/index.html

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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.

Relevant Link:

http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/ea/oregon/bowman/index.html