News Release Archive

Reclamation Awards $8.9M Contract for Dike Modification at Altus Dam

Media Contact: Tyler Johnson, (406) 247-7609, tjohnson@usbr.gov

For Release: September 14, 2016

BILLINGS, Mont. -- The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded a contract for $8,906,175 to Meridian Contracting, Inc., for the dike modification work at Altus Dam. Altus Dikes are located approximately 20 miles north of Altus, Okla. in Kiowa and Greer Counties.

"We're pleased to award this contract to a small business," said Great Plains Regional Director, Mike Ryan. "This work creates jobs, and will help keep Altus Dikes functioning properly well into the future, continuing to provide safe and reliable flood control and irrigation water for Altus, and surrounding areas."

The work is required to address the results of a Corrective Action Study (CAS), completed in May 2015, which identified various alternatives to reduce static and hydrologic risks associated with the Altus dikes, ensure continued structural integrity under all reasonable expected operating conditions, reduce potential flood overtopping risks, and fully maintain authorized project benefits at current levels.

Principle features of the work include raising the crests of the existing dikes; providing zoned earthfill materials and geotextile to construct the dike raises; constructing new dike connection sections; providing gravel surfacing; clearing, grubbing, and excavating drainage trenches; removing water from excavations; providing and installing earthfill materials, geotextile and HDPE pipe for trench drains; and providing inspection wells.

The contract was awarded on August 8. Construction is estimated to begin in early January 2017, and take approximately 3 years to complete.

The Altus Project provides irrigation water to approximately 48,000 acres of privately owned land in southwestern Oklahoma, flood control on the North Fork of the Red River, an augmented municipal water supply for the city of Altus, fish and wildlife conservation benefits, and recreation facilities. Project features include Altus Dam, the Main, Altus, West, and Ozark Canals, a 221-mile lateral distribution system, and 26 miles of drains.

For more information please contact the Tyler Johnson at 406-247-7610 or tjohnson@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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