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Reclamation Awards $7 Million Contract for Turbine Repair Work at Grand Coulee and Hungry Horse Dams

Media Contact: Lynne Brougher, (509) 633-9503
Kelly Bridges

For Release: September 05, 2014

BOISE, Idaho – The Bureau of Reclamation awarded a $7 million contract on August 29 to Voith Hydro, Inc. in York, Pennsylvania, to perform turbine repair for Grand Coulee and Hungry Horse dams.

The turbine runners to be serviced have been in operation since the early 1950s. The work requires specialized welding and grinding, and will be completed over the next five years.

“These repairs at Grand Coulee and Hungry Horse dams are essential to maintaining the turbines at these hydropower facilities,” says Regional Director Lorri Lee. “This work will ensure that these important hydropower units continue to operate well into the future, contributing significantly to the Pacific Northwest power supply.”

Voith is one of the world's leading suppliers of hydroelectric equipment, technology and services.They are home to one of the world’s largest dedicated hydro turbine equipment manufacturing facilities and are the only turbine manufacturer in the United States with a hydraulic laboratory.

Completed in 1941, Grand Coulee Dam is a key feature of Reclamation’s Columbia Basin Project which provides both power and irrigation. This project serves irrigation to about 671,000 acres in east central Washington with over 300 miles of main canals. Power generated at the project is marketed by the Bonneville Power Administration.

Hungry Horse Dam stands 564 feet tall and was completed in 1953. It is located on the south fork of the Flathead River, 20 miles northeast of Kalispell, Montana.

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Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at www.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.

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