The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded a $115.9 million construction contract to AMES Federal Contracting Group of Burnsville, Minnesota, for the replacement of the spillway at Hyrum Dam in northern Utah. Built in 1935 on the Little Bear River, Hyrum Dam impounds Hyrum Reservoir, which serves as a critical water storage source for irrigation and municipal use.
Over the years, the spillway has undergone numerous repairs and modifications, with operators making efforts to minimize water releases. However, during high-volume releases in recent years, Reclamation implemented round-the-clock monitoring to assess potential failure risks and staged heavy equipment and riprap materials near the spillway for emergency response if needed.
“The spillway at Hyrum Dam is used every year to release excess water downstream, and while continuous maintenance has occurred since its construction, the 90-year-old structure is in need of replacement,” said Wayne Pullan, Reclamation Upper Colorado Basin Regional Director.
As part of the project, crews will replace the dam’s original 24-inch outlet works piping with larger 36-inch piping, increasing the outlet’s discharge capacity from 50 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 200 cfs—quadrupling its flow rate to help better regulate water levels.
“Working with our project partners, Reclamation will continue to take every precaution at Hyrum Dam,” said Rick Baxter, Provo Area Office Manager. “Expanding the outlet works will allow more water to be conveyed through the outlet, reducing stress on the existing spillway until the new one is constructed.”
The South Cache Water Users Association is responsible for operating and maintaining Hyrum Dam. This contract represents the culmination of years of collaboration between Reclamation and its project partners, ensuring continued safety and water management efficiency for the region.