News Release Archive

Bureau of Reclamation to hold press day at Steinaker Dam

Media Contact: Andrew Kirby, 801-379-1161, akirby@usbr.gov
Marlon Duke, 801-524-3774, mduke@usbr.gov

For Release: October 22, 2018

VERNAL, UTAH – The Bureau of Reclamation will hold a press day at Steinaker Dam near Vernal, Utah, on October 30. Interested members of the press will be able to tour the dam, take photos, and interview managers and engineers from Reclamation about recent modifications to the facility.

In late July, Reclamation began modification work at the dam to repair a slope failure on the upstream face of the right abutment and to flatten the slope of the abutment. Reclamation and the Uintah Water Conservancy District slowly emptied Steinaker Reservoir during the summer recreation season to enable modification work. Once work is complete, Reclamation anticipates a return to full and normal operations.

The dam, which is owned by Reclamation and operated by the Uintah Water Conservancy District, provides off-stream water storage from Ashley Creek and is an important feature of the Central Utah Project. In addition to its primary water storage benefits, the reservoir also provides excellent fishing and recreational opportunities. While water levels will remain low throughout construction, Steinaker State Park will remain open with a variety of recreational opportunities. Visitors should check with Utah State Parks (https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/steinaker/) for available activities and park hours.

Work will result in a safer facility that will better serve water users and protect the surrounding community. Through a cost share under Reclamation’s Dam Safety Program, the federal government will cover 85 percent of modification costs and the Uintah Water Conservancy District will pay 15 percent. Reclamation previously awarded a contract for the majority of the work to Weeminuche Construction Authority, which is owned by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. Reclamation engineers will oversee and inspect all construction work, which will continue year-round and is expected to be complete in 2020.

Those interested in attending the press day should contact Andrew Kirby at akirby@usbr.gov or 801-379-1161. A white paper, as well as photos and quotes relating to the project, are available to interested parties.

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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.