News Release Archive

Reclamation Awards $4 Million Construction Contract for Nelson Dikes Safety Modifications

Media Contact: Jack Conner, (406) 247-7300, jconner@usbr.gov

For Release: January 29, 2016

BILLINGS, Mont. -- The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded a $4,015,045 contract for Nelson Dikes Modification to Johnson-Wilson Constructors, Inc. of Helena, Montana, to mitigate seepage-related safety deficiencies of dikes at Nelson Reservoir, 19 miles northeast of Malta, Mont.

"On-site activities for the project will launch late this spring," said Steve Davies, Montana Area Office Manager. "At that time, the contractor will begin prepping the site for construction work. We expect normal reservoir operations to continue until approximately July 1, 2016." Davies said. "Around that time, Reclamation will begin drawing down Nelson Reservoir to reach an elevation of 2,205 feet by August 25, 2016 in order to facilitate construction activities." The reservoir will remain at this lower level until at least Oct. 15, 2016 while modification work on the downstream portions of the dikes is completed. Depending on the available water supply, Nelson Reservoir could be back to normal operating levels as early as spring 2017.

Construction is scheduled to be complete by summer 2017. An Environmental Assessment (EA) for the modification has been finalized and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been signed. The public can access the final EA and FONSI on Reclamation's website at http://www.usbr.gov/gp/mtao/nelson/.

For additional information, please contact Jack Conner at 406-247-7300, or jconner@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.

Relevant Link:

Montana Area Office Home Page