The Millsite dam rehabilitation project is a year away from completion. Tracy Behling, president of the Ferron Canal Company, said he’s ready for snow, but the good weather has been beneficial for the rehabilitation project.
“It’s a huge project. There’s a lot going on. It’s a good thing, there are a lot of trials and issues, but the end result will be awesome,” he said.
Matt Call from the Division of Water Resources said Nielson Construction is currently working on backfilling the excavation they did earlier to the foundation. It’s been restored back to its original surface except for the area which has been left exposed so the outlet works can be worked on. During the winter they will work on the outlet tunnel and a new structure to house the valves. Work is beginning on that now. Concrete will be poured for the new structure and the outlet tunnel.
The outlet tunnel will be extended. There will also be a control gate house for the pipes. These will include; power plant water, city water and irrigation water. The original pipe has been cut off and by-pass pipes are currently in place. The by-pass pipe comes directly out of the tunnel and after 100 feet it crosses to the north and ties back into the regular pipes.
A cover of loose dirt has been placed as a winter protection layer. Freezing of soil will take place and frost tubes have been installed so the depth of the freeze will be known. If the soil freezes, then water gets inside and turns the soil spongy.
It gets into the pores and expands when it freezes, this expansion and contraction will cause the soil to lose its compaction. Any soil that freezes will need to be replaced. The soil will be removed or recompacted. The surface will freeze, but the internal material will be insulated by soil. Average frost in this area goes down 30 inches.
The spillway must be complete by March 30. The outlet works must be operational by March 2.
The spillway has been excavated and all the concrete is removed. There will be a little more excavation work to bring the spillway to its elevation level. Wall Contractors will pour the spillway in the next few months.
Work is being started on the Millsite State Park. A new pavilion will be placed at a higher location and campsites will be raised. The reservoir level will raise four feet with the dam rehabilitation project so this will impact the park. Utility lines and water lines will need to be replaced or relocated. Some areas of the boat ramp will be raised.
Nielson Construction will do the work at the park also. The work at the park must be done by the end of March before the camping season begins.
Crews of 18 people have been working at the dam site.
The reservoir will fill to five feet lower than its previous level this irrigation season. Once construction is complete the water level will be five feet higher than previously.
Millsite project in its final year
Millsite