California Central Valley's B.F. Sisk Dam is getting some much-needed updates for stability as part of a $100 million investment announced March 22 by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
According to the news release, this is project-specific funding through the Bureau of Reclamation. Part of this project will include increasing dam height to reduce downstream public safety concerns by reducing the likelihood of overtopping if slumping were to occur during a seismic event. Work is expected to begin this summer.
“Investing in and enhancing dam safety is central to the Biden-Harris administration's all-of-government approach to addressing drought and confronting climate change impacts on communities and habitats,” Secretary Deb Haaland said. “Crucial funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will further advance planned dam safety work at B.F. Sisk to reduce risk while preserving all the benefits that the dam and San Luis Reservoir currently provide. This is the first of many projects that will benefit from these historic infrastructure investments.”
This isn't the only funding and improvements coming to the B.F. Sisk Dam. The Packer reports the Infrastructure Improvement and Jobs Act will provide $1.15 billion to improve water storage in California and the San Joaquin Valley, which could benefit B.F. Sisk Dam, Sites Reservoir, Los Vaqueros Reservoir and Del Puerto Canyon Reservoir expansions. There will be $500 million to repair aging dams and ensure safety for projects such as B.F. Sisk Dam/San Luis Reservoir.
According to the Bureau of Reclamation, the B.F. Sisk Dam is a 382-foot-high zoned compacted earthfill embankment that runs over 3.5 miles to enclose the San Luis Reservoir. Original construction of the dam started in 1963.
The Safety of Dams Modification Project at B.F. Sisk has a long history. An issue evaluation for the dam showed specific need for corrective actions in 2006, but it wasn't until 2018 that Reclamation selected a preferred alternative for dam safety modifications and moved into the final design process. The next year, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Department of Water Resources announced they would move forward on a seismic upgrade valued at $1.1 billion and exploratory blasting at B.F. Sisk started in March 2020.
