News Release Archive

Reclamation Awards $1.7 Million Contract for Fish Ladder Modifications on Rogue River Tributary

Media Contact: Michael Williamson, (208) 378-5071, mwilliamson@usbr.gov
Douglas DeFlitch, ddeflitch@usbr.gov

For Release: August 26, 2014

BEND, Ore. - The Bureau of Reclamation awarded a $1,756,850 contract on August 21 to Northbank Civil and Marine, LLC, a small business from Vancouver, Washington, to construct fish ladder modifications to the Oak Street Diversion Dam located approximately 1 mile north of Ashland on Bear Creek.

When complete, the current fish ladder will be replaced with a new one on the opposite side of the dam. This is to satisfy requirements of improved fish passage and flow control. The primary features of the work will be demolition, earthwork, concrete, electrical and mechanical work to support operation of the new gates for controlling water releases. Work will be performed between June 15 and October 15, 2015, when flows are lower due to irrigation.

"The existing structure has shown to have some functionality issues that needed addressing," says Douglas DeFlitch, Reclamation's Bend Field Office Manager. "This work will greatly improve fish passage for ESA listed Coho Salmon, at the same time maintaining water supply for the Talent Irrigation District."

Northbank Civil and Marine, LLC was formed in early 2014 by Jeff Harper and Sam Barchus. The primary focus of the company is marine, heavy civil and industrial construction. The principals together have over 45 years of industry experience across the Northwest. Throughout their careers they have estimated and managed projects ranging from $100,000 to over $1 billion.

This work is within Reclamation's Rogue River Project area, a mix of Federal and private structures providing up to 144,000 acre-feet of water to cover 35,000 acres of irrigated land. The project has 7 reservoirs, 16 diversion dams, 1 powerplant, and more than 450 miles of canals serving Talent, Medford, and Rogue River Valley Irrigation Districts.

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