The Millsite dam rehabilitation project is moving forward. Eric Luke from Nielson Construction reported they are approximately three weeks behind on the spillway, but they will be working with Wall Contractors and hope to increase the size of the concrete pours to catch up.
The milestone of having the spillway ready for any spring run-off is March 31.
A lot of work has been done this past month at Millsite State Park. Most of the camping sites will be raised. The pavilion has been taken down and a new one will be constructed. The rest room in the parking lot near the boat ramp will be relocated to a higher location.
During this construction phase the state parks will be adding electricity to all the camping spots. Previously only half of the sites had electricity. Several of the concrete pads for picnic tables have been poured.
Jonathan Hunt Millsite State Park manager said, “The work in the park is going well, this is the fourth full week of work in the park. I think of it as a home remodel. It will be the same, but brand new. Sixteen of the 20 campsites will be redone. There will be new tables and new pads. Some of the trees have been removed and camp sites enlarged. We are hiring a contractor to add electricity to 10 of the camp sites. This will complete the campground with electricity at each site. We have 20 campsites at Millsite State Park. Reservations for these campsites can be made four months in advance. We plan to open on April 1. The park is currently closed due to construction. The boat ramp will open as soon as there is enough water in the reservoir to launch a boat, probably in May. There is a fishing tournament planned for Feb. 3. Fishing is good, but there’s difficulty getting to the water.”
The parking area will receive new pavement which is a project that Millsite State Park already had in the works.
All earthfill work has been suspended for the winter. Rock excavation is taking place on the down stream face of the dam to take off the rock that wasn’t part of the first rock removal earlier in the project.
Processing of the materials, rock and dirt, in the zone two embankment is continuing; this includes the large hill of material that was between hole three and four on the Millsite golf course. All these materials will be used in the dam.
Luke said, “We are almost done with the excavation of the spillway. There will be a dam safety inspection tomorrow, (Jan. 10) after that rock anchors will be installed and then the pouring of the concrete will follow. All the excavation in the spillway area will be done by the end of the week. There is a rock trencher in there now.”
The floor of the gate house which will house the outlet works has been poured. The walls will be poured next.
This year the reservoir will be five feet lower than normal and in future years it will be four feet higher than what it’s been in the past.
Luke said, “A little snow is OK and won’t put us behind. If we get a lot of snow, it could cause delays for snow removal and it is a safety concern.” He joked the snow is good for dust suppression at the job site. The concrete can be poured in a snow storm.
Matt Call from the Division of Water Rights said the work being done on the Millsite dam rehabilitation is quality work.
Snowstorm won’t slow down Millsite dam rehabilitation project
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