Construction crews are working hard to get everything “down” right now at Millsite, including the reservoir water level, ground water levels, foundation excavation and even fish in the water.
Some of the most important steps in the rehabilitation of the dam are being done now at the construction site. Sixteen dewatering wells have been drilled 40 feet deep to drain the ground water in the dam foundation area, allowing the water to be pumped out. Six more secondary wells will be drilled in the near future, so the ground water is decreasing in this area. Monitoring wells are also dug so that a bi-daily check can be made to track the ground water levels. Jones Drilling Company from Salt Lake is doing the drilling.
Dirt removed from the base of the dam is also monitored to make sure it is at optimum moisture level for compaction. Drying or moisturizing is then instigated. Screening is also done to make sure that the correct particle size is replaced in the foundation. Drilling is done and expanding grout is packed in the holes to break it up so that it can be extracted. Large boulders have also been extracted.
The spillway reconstruction has also begun now that the reservoir is low enough to begin work. It will be wider and taller than the previous spillway. The reservoir is at an all-time low, 20 feet in the deepest area, which is only five feet lower than usual. Irrigators are continuing to use as much water as is flowing into the reservoir.
The Division of Wildlife Resources has decided to use netting as a means to gather the fish out of the reservoir rather than pesticide or expulsion. Unusually large groups of Blue Herons have also found the fish in the shallow water. There can be no boats on the water at this time as the mud would mire anything or anyone trying to launch.
