News Release Archive

Reclamation Awards $5.5 Million Contract for Switchgear Replacement at Hungry Horse Dam

Media Contact: Annette Ross, (208) 378-5322, aross@usbr.gov
Lynne Brougher, lbrougher@usbr.gov

For Release: April 11, 2014

HUNGRY HORSE, Mont. - The Bureau of Reclamation awarded a $5,531,000 contract on April 9 to Koontz Electric Company, Inc., a small business from Morrilton, Ark., for construction services to replace the switchgear at Hungry Horse Dam in Mont.

Work under this contract consists of several components: design, furnish, install, test and commission one replacement 2400-volt station service distribution system, two replacement 480-volt station service distribution systems, two new 15kV disconnect switches, and one 2400-volt engine generator set. The work is expected to start around April 19 and be completed by December 31, 2015.

"This project is just one way Reclamation is working to maximize efficient and reliable power production for customers across a large area of the Northwest," said Facility Operations Manager Dennis Philmon. "These repairs are essential so that the switchgear at Hungry Horse Dam maintains its reliability for years to come in serving the area extending from the Continental Divide westward to the Pacific Ocean."

KECI is a diversified heavy industrial electrical contractor and has been in business for over 50 years. In the last 10 years, they completed over 500 projects exceeding $180 million. For 12 consecutive years, KECI has received the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Excellence in Construction award.

Hungry Horse Dam was completed in 1953. It is located on the south fork of the Flathead River, 15 miles south of the west entrance to Glacier National Park and 20 miles northeast of Kalispell, Mont.

For more information on Hungry Horse Dam: http://www.usbr.gov/pn/hungryhorse/

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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/hungryhorse/