News Release Archive

Drilling Program to Continue at Olympus Dam

Media Contact: Kara Lamb, (970) 962-4326, 03/15/2005 20:29
Mark Andersen, mandersen@gp.usbr.gov

For Release: March 15, 2005

The Bureau of Reclamation is extending its exploratory drilling program at Olympus Dam. Later this month, crews will construct a road for the drill rig across the face of the dam. In April, drillers will begin a series of 20-24 holes to pull samples from the dam's foundation.

The access road may temporarily intersect and cover a portion of the Lake Estes recreation trail just north of the dam. If so, trail recreators will be directed around the drill work. Phase one of the drill program at Olympus Dam occurred in September 2003. April of this year will begin phase two. Drillers are expected to be on site until June of this year.

The drill program is part of Reclamation's agency-wide Safety of Dams Program. Safety of Dams provides an ongoing assessment of Reclamation's dams and dikes in the 17 Western United States. A recent focus of the program analyzes dams for performance during seismic movement. By exploring Olympus Dam and testing samples from its core, Reclamation engineers will determine how the earthen embankment might perform in the event of an earthquake.

Reclamation will provide a presentation further explaining the Drilling Program to the Town's Board next Tuesday, March 22 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall.

Reclamation owns and operates both Olympus Dam and Lake Estes.

For additional information, please contact Kara Lamb at Reclamation's Eastern Colorado Area Office, (970) 962-4326, or e-mail, klamb@gp.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.

Relevant Link:

Great Plains Home Page

Eastern Colorado Area Office