Columbia-Pacific Northwest Region

Kachess Dam - Safety of Dams Modification Project Environmental Assessment

Dam Safety Process and Schedule

Flow chart of Reclamation's dam safety milestones and schedule

The above flow chart describes Reclamation’s dam safety process milestones and schedule. The project is in the final design phase and is slated to begin in 2024. During the predesign phase, two alternatives were evaluated, and one was selected for further evaluation.

Dam safety milestone definitions:

Predesign: Process of evaluating and analyzing alternatives.

Final design: Environmental analysis of the proposed action is completed. The selected alternative will be designed for construction. Environmental permitting and funding authorization are obtained.

Bid process: The process of selecting a contractor.

Construction: Construction of the selected alternative.

Post construction: This milestone ensures the construction was completed as designed and the modification decreases the potential risk to the dam compared to premodification.