News Release Archive

Reclamation to Begin Safety Modification Project at Stampede Dam

Media Contact: Shane Hunt, 916-978-5100, shunt@usbr.gov

For Release: July 15, 2016

TRUCKEE, Calif. – Under the Bureau of Reclamation’s Safety of Dams Program, Stampede Dam and dike structures are being raised by 11.5 feet to address dam safety concerns related to large flood events. In addition, two small dikes will be constructed near the south end of the reservoir to fill low-lying areas of the reservoir rim. The spillway crest structure will be reconstructed to control outflows during large flood events to the current spillway discharge capacity of approximately 3,000 cubic feet per second. Completed in 1970, Stampede Dam is a zoned earthfill embankment dam located approximately 11 miles northeast of Truckee, California, in Sierra County.

The construction contract for this work was awarded in May 2016 to NW Construction Incorporated (NW). NW will mobilize to Stampede Dam in August 2016 to begin preliminary construction activities. Preliminary construction activities to be completed during 2016 include improvement and surfacing of the Dog Valley Road detour route (from Hobart Mills to the Stampede Boat Ramp turnoff); timber clearing; construction of two small dikes; and some miscellaneous work to prepare for the 2017 construction season. There will be no road closures in 2016; however, some traffic control may be in place for safety purposes. Please look for road guards and signage as you drive through the area.

Beginning in April 2017, the eastern section of Dog Valley Road, which crosses the dam and dike, will be closed to allow for construction on the main dam structure. Access to the reservoir will be available using the posted detour routes. A hyperlink to the temporary detour routes which shows the closed section of Dog Valley Road is found at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/sod/projects/stampede/index.html.

The Boat Ramp and Logger Campground will remain open during construction. The Emigrant Group Campground will be closed from April 2017 to October 2017 for construction activities.

The website will be revised periodically with updated information as the construction project progresses. For information, please visit http://www.usbr.gov/mp/sod/projects/stampede/index.html .

Please email questions related to the project to sha-mpr-StampedeSOD@usbr.gov. Responses to questions received will be transmitted approximately weekly throughout the construction period. If you would like your email address to be added to a distribution list for periodic project updates, please indicate that in your email to the above address.

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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.