The Millsite Reservoir is as low as it will go for this season. There are some sprinklers still operating as the inflow from Ferron Creek is being released.
Ed Vidmar project manager gave the monthly update, “We have put in 16 dewatering wells, they are 40 feet deep. We are installing six more secondary wells. We have been pumping out a fair amount of water. We are bringing the water level down at the foundation so when we excavate we won’t run into water.”
Jones Drilling from North Salt Lake has been onsite to drill the wells.
The foundation is being excavated below the dam. The materials at the foundation will be compacted to make them more dense and stable. Materials going back into the foundation are screened and only materials the right size will go back into the foundation. Eric Luke said the original materials for the foundation were loose and right out of the river. The moisture content of the materials is also important.
Luke said there will be plenty of rock to go back onto the dam from the materials taken off the dam. The rock is protection for the slope and easy maintenance.
The crews have also been dealing with huge boulders that have come out of the hillside where golf hole number three used to be.
Excavation has taken place out to the width of the new spillway. Drill holes have been made and expanding grout has been placed inside the drill holes and it expands and breaks up the concrete. Nielson Construction is clearing the old spillway out with this method.
The new spillway will be poured during the winter.
The water level of the reservoir is 20 feet deep. It will be kept there for culinary use, stock watering and secondary.
Tracy Behling from the Ferron Canal Company said 900 sprinklers have been running and the water users are taking turns. They are doing this rather than send the water down the river.
The Division of Wildlife Resources has plans to net as many fish as they can out of Millsite Reservoir and transplant them to other waters. Millsite Reservoir will be restocked when the dam project is complete.
A temporary bypass will be installed to reroute water so the new outlet works can be completed. The outlets are due to be completed by March 1, 2018.
Eric Luke from Nielson Construction said next summer the reservoir will be at a lower level than usual, but this level is only five feet lower than normal.
During the winter the floor and sidewalls of the spillway will be put in place. The front will not be poured at that time. The construction company will build a temporary chute for the overflow next spring. The front of the spillway cannot be constructed until after the crest of the high water next spring. This work will take place in the summer of 2018.
Nielson Construction is bringing workers onto the job site as other jobs wind down for the season.
Behling said the irrigators have been pleased with the project so far. He’s heard 95 percent positive comments. Irrigators expressed surprise they are still watering so late in the season and they are encouraged for next year. “We anticipate having enough water for next year,” said Behling.
The bridge at the Millsite Golf Course which connects hole one with hole two will soon be coming out.
This is the bridge over the spillway. Golf Pro Kasey Edgehouse said when this happens a cart path will be constructed so the golfers will still have access to the lower holes.
Edgehouse said the golf course will remain open as long as the weather holds and he encourages golfers to get out and enjoy fall golf at Millsite.
Millsite dam project: removal of spillway
millsite mine rehab IMG_0956