News Release Archive

Public Scoping Meeting Scheduled for Boca Dam Safety of Dams Modification Project

Media Contact: Erin Curtis, 916-978-5100, 07/30/2015 12:42

For Release: July 30, 2015

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation will hold a public meeting on the Boca Dam Safety of Dams Modification Project to solicit comments on the alternatives being analyzed, provide a summary of environmental effects and update the public on project developments. The public meeting will be held:

Wednesday, August 12 7-9 p.m. Truckee Town Hall, Council Chambers, 2nd Floor 10183 Truckee Airport Road, Truckee, CA 96161

In 2004, Reclamation began analyzing Boca Dam under the Safety of Dams Program for possible deficiencies that could lead to failure. Reclamation is required to evaluate all dam facilities to determine if they have an unacceptable risk of seismic, hydrologic (overtopping) and/or static potential failure modes.

Boca Dam is located in a seismically active area. Exploration and analyses indicate that foundation materials beneath the dam may be susceptible to loss of strength during a major earthquake. The loss of strength, known as liquefaction, could result in a potential failure. Analyses also indicate the dam’s concrete spillway walls have seismic deficiencies. In order to reduce the risk of such an event happening, Reclamation will take corrective actions.

Reclamation’s preferred alternative at Boca Dam is to construct a stability berm and modify the spillway crest structure. The stability berm will be constructed on the downstream side of the dam. This alternative would reduce the seismic risks and meet Reclamation’s interim Public Protection Guidelines.

Boca Dam was completed in 1939 and is 116 feet high and 1,630 feet long. The dam creates Boca Reservoir that has a capacity of about 40,000 acre-feet. The reservoir is used to regulate the Truckee River and provide water for irrigation, recreation, fish and wildlife benefits, and municipal and industrial uses in Truckee Meadows. The dam is owned by Reclamation and operated by the Washoe County Water Conservation District.

Written comments will be taken during the meeting. For more information, please contact Andrea Meier at 916-978-5041 (TTY 800-877-8339) or ameier@usbr.gov.

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