Securing Palisades Dam
The Bureau of Reclamation is seeking public review and comment on the Palisades Dam Security Enhancement Project Draft Environmental Assessment, which documents the environmental effects of a proposal to correct security vulnerabilities related to motor vehicles traveling across the top of the dam. Security studies determined that motor vehicles traveling across the crest of the dam pose a threat to security and public safety from an explosion which could compromise the dam’s structural integrity. Bu-rec Spokesman John Redding says corrective actions could include widening the dam crest up-stream by 10-feet, raising the dam crest by 5-feet, constructing a bridge down-stream, or placing a median on the dam crest. Public comments on the assessment are being accepted by Bu-rec until February 25th and Redding says construction on the selected alternative could begin in August. Palisades Dam was constructed by Reclamation in 1957 as part of the Palisades Project. It is a multipurpose facility that provides for irrigation, flood control, hydropower, and recreation.
