News Release Archive

Reclamation Monitoring Steinaker Dam Due to Riprap Slide

Media Contact: Marlon Duke, 385-228-4845, mduke@usbr.gov
Chris Watt, 385-881-3759, cwatt@usbr.gov

For Release: September 30, 2016

Provo, Utah – The Bureau of Reclamation’s Provo Area Office and the Uintah Water Conservancy District are monitoring Steinaker Dam near Vernal, Utah, following additional riprap (large rocks) displacement in an area where movement was identified two years ago on the reservoir side of the dam. Reclamation officials are closely examining the dam and note that some additional material displacement may occur while engineers work toward a permanent fix.

As a precaution, the Provo Area Office initiated an Emergency Action Plan Response Level I, which is the least serious of the three response levels. This response level does not pose a hazard either at the reservoir or to downstream communities, and the public does not need to do anything at this time. Response Level I indicates that unusual conditions at a dam require additional monitoring. While it requires further investigation and possible intervention, there is no immediate threat to life, property or the environment.

For more information, please call or text Marlon Duke at (385) 228-4845, or Chris Watt at (385) 881-3759.

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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.