Millsite Dam Project to start July 1

By Patsy Stoddard
Editor

After many years in the planning stage the Millsite dam rehabilitation project is about to become a reality. On July 1 the lowering of Millsite Reservoir will begin. The reservoir will be lowered to its minimum construction operation elevation of approximately 6,155 feet by Aug. 28. The installation of the temporary bypass pipeline, demolition of the outlet vault and excavation of the downstream foundation materials can commence once water has been lowered to this elevation and dewatering specification requirements are met.
A meeting of those involved in the process took place in the Ferron Canal Company building. Eric Dixon from the Division of Water Resources, project engineer, conducted the meeting. Tracy Behling from the Ferron Canal Company spoke, “We appreciate the starting of this project. A lot of effort has gone into it for a lot of years. It’s amazing and it’s going to happen. Thanks to all who have been involved.”
Dixon explained the funding for the project is 65 percent NRCS funds. These are federal funds and will be run through Emery County. The state funds, 31.5 percent of the project will be run through the Ferron Canal Company, the owner of the project. The other 3.5 percent is the responsibility of the canal company. Their cost share can be met with an in-kind match.
Dixon went over the responsibilities of each of the shareholders in the project. It will be a joint effort between the canal company, Division of Water Resources, NRCS, Emery County and Nielson Construction. Subcontractors and engineering firms will also play a part.
The group went over some changes to the contract. They discussed the interest rate percentage should there be any issues with payment for work completed on the project. The time frame for payment of services was also changed to 60 days. Funds are coming from two different pools of money, state and federal funds so with all the requirements on these types of funds it was determined an adequate time frame for payments must be given.
Nielson Construction provided a subcontractor list and a supplier list for approval.
Eric Luke and Mark Greenhalgh from Nielson Construction went over the construction schedule.
Dam safety is also involved and must approve work as it’s completed. The first winter the walls and floor of the new spillway will be complete, but the weir will not be installed. The new spillway must be protected during the first spring run-off. An approach channel will be utilized so the reservoir doesn’t get too full next spring.
During the project when the bypass is installed, Jacob Sharp from the Castle Valley Special Service District said it’s best for the culinary water supply for Ferron to only be interrupted for one day. They have two storage tanks for water. There needs to be a seven day notice of any water shutoffs so the town can be alerted to conserve water. Pacifi-Corp also needs notice and a detailed plan of when the water is going to be shut-off.
Work at Millsite State Park will take place from November to March. The height of the campground will be raised. The park requested a start date for work within the park. They also have some electrical work that needs to be done at the park. They asked this be done at the same time the mitigation work to the park is done.
Substantial completion of the entire dam rehabilitation project is Nov. 2, 2018; completion date is Dec. 21, 2018.
Dixon said they will have a cloud set-up where all documents and updates will be stored. All interested parties will be able to view the documents.
Greenhalgh said the construction schedule has the workers onsite for five 10 hour days. They may work more to meet all scheduled milestones in the project. On July 5, they will start removing riprap from the dam and start excavation work. They will be watching for any rocks rolling and take precautions.
Behling said the canal company has a daily schedule of what the reservoir needs to be until Aug. 28.
Nielson will bring an office trailer on site by next Thursday. They will have an amplifier at the trailer so they can have cell phone service as cell service in the area is minimal.
Greenhalgh said on Nov. 17 they will start on the outlet works. In August they will start taking out the old spillway when the reservoir is 15 feet below the mark. “It’s going to be a very busy place,” said Greenhalgh.
Concrete work will be done during the winter. The new weir will be placed Aug. 6 of 2018. A new bridge for a cart path will be placed over the new spillway. The existing bridge across the spillway will be taken out, the water for hole two runs under the bridge. A new watering route for hole two will be established.
Luke said they will have grizzly’s on site to screen the rocks. Any rock that comes off the old dam can be used in the new dam because it has already been tested. Any new materials placed in the dam will have to be tested. Materials will be stockpiled onsite. Greenhalgh said they will also be making sand for the project as much as possible this fall.
The stakeholders will meet weekly throughout the project for progress reports.
The Ferron Canal irrigators will not suffer any interruption of their water. This year 2017, they will have a full water year. In 2018, the reservoir will be allowed to fill and it may even spill as a quasi-spillway will allow spillage. Secondary water will not be affected by the construction and Ferron residents can continue to water lawns and gardens.
Behling said, “We’ll have as normal an irrigation season as possible during construction.”
The temporary by-pass will keep downstream users in water and stock watering will still be available as well. Flows for culinary use and power generation will also continue. Water travels in one line until it gets to the water plant where it branches out.
Luke said the purpose of lowering the reservoir is so they can safely excavate the dam. Once that foundation is complete the dam can be refilled.
Behling said currently the water year is average/normal. A wet winter was followed by a dry spring.
Dixon emphasized the need for communication within the group during the construction process. With all the entities involved and the different fundings they must take every precaution to see things are done according to federal regulations. Everything must be documented. Everything must be tracked and authorized. Everything must be done to specifications. Nothing can be changed without agreement and proper consent by the chain of command.
The weekly meetings will take place at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays. Due to the July 4 holiday the first weekly meeting will be on July 6. Anyone is welcome to come to these meetings.
Anyone visiting the worksite must be accompanied by a Nielson Construction employee and proper gear must be worn.
The first changes at the Millsite golf course will be hole number three. It will be destroyed in the construction process. A new path will be constructed from hole two to hole four. A small par three will be established between holes five and six. Golf course manager Kasey Edgehouse said, “Hole Three will be completely out of play for the duration of the project and number four hole will have half the hole out. We will put another tee box north of the trees in the fairway. So we will have three par 3’s in a row.”
Milestones for the project have been established including: Nov. 17, 2017, the downstream foundation backfill must be completed. This includes all zoned materials and the drain system to bring the downstream ground surface to within one foot of the preconstruction surface.
March, 2, 2018: The outlet works must be competed and ready for use on or before this date.
March 30, the reinforced concrete spillway floor and sidewalls must be complete. The labyrinth weir walls are excluded because the weir cannot be constructed until the dam crest raise is completed.