ASHLAND, Ore. - The Bureau of Reclamation awarded a $5,900,000 contract on April 6 to Natt McDougall Company, a small business from Portland, for construction services to modify Howard Prairie Dam near Ashland.
Work under this contract involves excavating and reconstructing a small portion of the dam embankment to the foundation, furnishing and installing inspection wells, and furnishing and extending toe drain pipes. Construction activity will begin in mid-2018 and end in 2019.
“This construction project is necessary to limit the risk of seismic failure of the dam," said Regional Dam Safety Coordinator Chris Regilski. “The work will enable Howard Prairie Dam to continue to effectively provide water for irrigation and power."
During construction, Howard Prairie Reservoir’s unimproved boat ramp and parking lot adjacent to the dam will be closed to the public for all types of recreation. All other public recreation areas around Howard Prairie Reservoir will remain open to the public during construction.
Natt McDougall Company is a general contractor that specializes in constructing heavy civil engineering projects throughout the Pacific Northwest. Projects include dams, pump stations, fish facilities, large diameter pipelines, caissons, hydro plants, treatment facilities, and major demolition undertakings.
Howard Prairie Dam is located on Beaver Creek approximately 19 miles east of Talent. It was constructed from 1957-1958 for irrigation storage and water that is released to Green Springs Powerplant, through Howard Prairie Delivery Canal for power generation. The dam is owned by Reclamation and operated by the Talent Irrigation District. The operation and maintenance are funded by Talent Irrigation District, Medford Irrigation District, Rogue River Valley Irrigation District, Reclamation, and Bonneville Power Administration with irrigation and power revenues resulting from discharges of the dam.
For more information about Howard Prairie Dam, please visit https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=124.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
