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The Bureau of Reclamation proposes to undertake construction activity at Echo Dam to perform seismic upgrades to the dam and spillway. Echo Dam, part of the Weber River Project, is located about six miles north of Coalville, Utah, at the junction of Interstates 80 and 84. The proposed construction activity would require Congressional authorization under the Safety of Dams Act of 1978, Public Law 95-978, as amended.

This EA describes the environmental effects of addressing the safety deficiencies of Echo Dam. Under the No Action Alternative, Reclamation would not structurally modify the dam to reduce the risks created by the seismic deficiencies. The existing dam would remain in place and standard operating procedures would continue. This alternative is presented in order to provide a comparison for effects of the proposed action. Under the Proposed Action Alternative, Reclamation would structurally modify the dam by applying corrective measures to the toe and spillway as well as the upstream berm or crest of the dam. Corrective measures have been developed that would reduce interference with reservoir operations. Under this alternative, construction would require a temporary restriction of the reservoir’s maximum surface elevation during two seasons.