News Release Archive

Reclamation to Host Public Open House on Banks Lake Drawdown

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, 06/14/2011 09:52
Jonathon W. Brooks, jwbrooks@usbr.gov

For Release: June 14, 2011

The Bureau of Reclamation's Ephrata Field Office will host a public open house on June 16 to explain details of the Banks Lake drawdown set to begin August 1 to perform scheduled maintenance on dams that impound the 27-mile-long reservoir.

The public open house will be held at the Ephrata Field Office located at 32 C Street NW, in Ephrata, WA, from 4:30 pm - 6:30 p.m.

Reclamation officials will be on hand to explain the drawdown process and some of the access restrictions that will be in place during the maintenance project at Dry Falls Dam and North Dam.

"We want to reach out to the local community and to make ourselves available to respond directly to their concerns," said Stephanie Utter, Ephrata Field Office Manager. "We want them to have a better understanding of why the maintenance is necessary."

Safety is Reclamation's number one priority and lowering the reservoir is necessary to ensure a safe working area for crews as they make repairs on the Main Canal Headworks at Dry Falls Dam and the Feeder Canal at the North Dam.

Water will be released from Banks Lake over a three month period to reach a target elevation of 1540-feet which is equal to a 30-foot drawdown by October 31, 2011.

For more information about the public open house or concerns about the drawdown contact Mr. Jonathon Brooks, Activity Coordinator. He can be reached at (509) 754-0208 or by email at jwbrookes@usbr.gov.

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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.