News Release Archive

Reclamation to Extend Closure of Public Access at Imperial Dam

Media Contact: Doug Hendrix, 702-293-8391, dhendrix@usbr.gov

For Release: October 07, 2016

Yuma, AZ – Reclamation’s Yuma Area Office (YAO) is extending the closure of several locations at Imperial Dam to the public. The YAO announced today that access will likely be restricted through the fall of 2017 to accommodate ongoing construction efforts at the facility.

In September 2014, Reclamation closed Phil Swing Park and other public locations near the dam for a projected two-year period to accommodate upgrade of the dam’s control house and electrical substation infrastructure. However due to changes in construction schedules and unforeseen delays in finalizing the project, the completion timeframe has changed. The extended closure remains necessary for public safety in the construction area.

“As construction work at the dam continues to involve the operation of heavy equipment and staging of construction materials, we will need to extend closure of public access at the facility,” said Doug Cox, Imperial Irrigation District’s (IID) Assistant Manager for operations and maintenance. “Infrastructure improvements to the dam are extensive but are imperative to the continued efficient operations into the future of these important water delivery structures. While this inconveniences area residents and visitors, Reclamation and the IID are deeply committed to ensuring public safety throughout the remainder of construction.”

The IID, which operates and maintains the facility on behalf of Reclamation and other water district entities, oversees the infrastructure improvement projects occurring at the facility. Reclamation will maintain the public access closure to the Phil Swing Park area, the dam control house and overlook, and associated parking lot areas. The public will also not be allowed access at the McKinley Road Access Gate until project completion.

Imperial Dam, located approximately 18 miles northeast of Yuma, Arizona serves as the primary diversion point for water flowing from the Colorado River to the All-American Canal, the Coachella Canal, the Yuma Main Canal and the Gila Gravity Main Canal. Imperial Dam, the All-American Canal and the Gila Gravity Main Canal’s headworks which are operated and maintained by the IID.

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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.