Normal operations have resumed at the Steinaker Dam in Utah, US, following dam safety modification work at the project.
The US Bureau of Reclamation began modification work in July 2018 to repair a slope failure on the upstream face of the right abutment by flattening the abutment slope. Other modifications included extending the outlet works intake to accommodate the flattened embankment, re-coating the outlet work gates and installing a new hydraulic system for gate operation.
Dam safety modifications were performed by Weeminuche Construction Authority Inc., which is owned and operated by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.
“I’m impressed by the hard work and technical capabilities of both Weeminuche Construction Authority and the Reclamation employees who worked on this project,” said Wayne Pullan, Provo Area Office Manager. “With these improvements, Reclamation, the Uintah Basin Water Conservancy District and the basin’s water users can all look forward to the continued safe and successful operation of this facility.”
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 Vernal Unit of the Central Utah Project. The dam and reservoir provide certainty and reliability for water users in the Uintah Basin – delivering 15,000 acre-feet of water each year for irrigation.
