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- Wild Rose Park to Close during Construction at Black Canyon Diversion Dam in 2015
News Release Archive
Wild Rose Park to Close during Construction at Black Canyon Diversion Dam in 2015
Media Contact:
Annette Ross, (208) 378-5322, aross@usbr.gov
Chris Vick, cvick@usbr.gov
For Release: July 01, 2014
EMMETT, Idaho - The Bureau of Reclamation recently announced a delay in construction activities associated with the new hydroelectric generating unit at Black Canyon Diversion Dam. As a result of this postponement, Wild Rose Park will now be closed from September 2015 through September 2018, rather than the previously reported dates of September 2014 through March 2017.
The 10.5-acre park is closing for public safety reasons while the location is used as a staging area for heavy equipment and construction crews. The park will reopen in May 2019 for the summer season.
"The change will enable this popular park to remain open for the 2015 summer season which runs from mid-May through Sept. 1," said Jerry Gregg, Snake River Area Manager. "All other parks at Black Canyon will be open during the summer season while construction is underway."
Groups will be able to reserve all of Cobblestone Park for special events during the construction period. This accessible day-use park offers a group shelter, meadow area, restroom, picnic tables, potable water and electrical service. Black Canyon Park offers reservations for gazebos, as well as day-use areas, and Triangle Park offers both day-use and overnight camping. Information about the parks is available at http://www.usbr.gov/pn/snakeriver/landuse/blackcanyon .
The new 12.5 megawatt hydroelectric unit at Black Canyon Diversion Dam will expand the production capacity of the two existing 5 megawatt units. It will generate 105 million kilowatt-hours (enough to power 9,359 homes a year). The power produced will be integrated into the power grid to serve 10 irrigation districts in southern Idaho, eastern Oregon and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.
The majority of the project is funded by the Bonneville Power Administration which markets hydroelectric power generated at Reclamation facilities in the Pacific Northwest.
Black Canyon Diversion Dam and Powerplant were completed in 1925 as part of the Payette Division of the Boise Project. It is a multipurpose facility that provides water for irrigation, hydropower and recreation.
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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.
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