Materials testing to start in June for Corps Isabella Lake Dam project

Published May 30, 2014
Contractors with the Sacramento District crush stones June 16, 2014 near Isabella Lake, Calif., as part of ongoing materials testing to determine the suitability of stone for use in the construction of the Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Project. Work is scheduled to continue through August.

Contractors with the Sacramento District crush stones June 16, 2014 near Isabella Lake, Calif., as part of ongoing materials testing to determine the suitability of stone for use in the construction of the Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Project. Work is scheduled to continue through August.

A map shows the location of work areas and haul routes for materials investigation at Isabella Lake as part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dam safety modification project.

A map shows the location of work areas and haul routes for materials investigation at Isabella Lake as part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dam safety modification project.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District is set to begin testing the suitability of stone near Isabella Lake for use in the construction of the Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Project. The test results will be used to develop the design and specifications for production of stone and aggregates material that will be used in safety upgrades to Isabella Lake main and auxiliary dams.

From June through August 2014, contractors with the Corps will perform stone processing, crushing, stockpiling, hauling and testing work at four locations around Isabella Lake. Investigation areas include a storage area at the Corps’ operations office, a granite spoil area west of boat launch 19, and a stone processing and test area south of the auxiliary dam. Residents of the Lakeside Village trailer park and visitors accessing boat launch 19 may experience increased traffic and noise impacts during weekdays from trucks transporting stone and aggregate materials along designated haul routes and crushing operations. Roads and recreation areas will remain open for public use during investigation work.

A $823,075 contract was awarded April 4 for materials investigation work to Santos Excavation of Chico.

Compliance with all applicable federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations is required for the work proposed, including noise and air quality. Normal work hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. No work will be performed during nighttime. Once investigation work is complete, all sites will be restored as nearly as practical to their present conditions. Questions or concerns related to the investigation work may be addressed to the Sacramento District’s public affairs office at 916-557-5100.

Completed in 1953, Isabella Lake Dam is located approximately 42 miles northeast of Bakersfield. The reservoir is impounded by two earthen dams, one on the Kern River and one in the Hot Springs Valley. Today, Isabella Lake and its dams reduce flood risk for Bakersfield and the surrounding region, and the lake is a primary water source for water users throughout Kern County. The Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Project will address overtopping, seismic and seepage issues identified with Isabella Lake’s main and auxiliary dams to reduce the likelihood of dam failure. In 2013, the Corps entered the pre-construction engineering and design phase of the project. Relocation of State Highway 178, Lake Isabella Boulevard and other relocation construction work is scheduled for 2015-2016. Construction of the dam modifications is scheduled to begin in 2017.

For more on the Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Project visit: http://bit.ly/IsabellaDam

 


Contact
John Prettyman
916-557-6940
john.r.prettyman@usace.army.mil

Release no. 14-027