Nation's First Rehabilitation Project for Aging Upstream Dams Dedicated in Oklahoma

CHEYENNE, OKLAHOMA, April 14, 2000 — The dedication of the nation's first rehabilitation project for an aging upstream dam was held today in Cheyenne, Oklahoma. The work extends the benefits of the 50-year old dam for another 100 years.

"This is a splendid example of what can happen when people see a problem and join together to take action to do something about it," said Pearlie S. Reed, Chief of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service.

"It's been a tremendous partnership and provides us with a rehabilitation model to help address the nation's concern about aging upstream dams."

NRCS has helped local sponsors build more than 10,000 upstream flood control dams nationwide since 1948. Over the next 10 years, more than 1,800 of these dams will reach the end of their 50-year design life. Many of these pose a potential threat to public health and safety, and many need major rehabilitation.

Sergeant Major Dam # 2 was built in 1949 as part of the Washita River Flood Prevention Program and has provided flood protection, livestock water, and wildlife habitat for more than 50 years. NRCS constructed the dam and the Upper Washita Conservation District is the local project sponsor for the watershed project.

Structural concerns and the fact that the lake had filled with sediment led to the rehabilitation of the dam. The dam was originally constructed to protect rural agricultural land. Today, a major highway and homes are downstream and the dam is being reconstructed to meet current safety standards for a high hazard dam. The height of the dam has been raised, the secondary earthen spillway enlarged, drains have been installed in the back of the dam, and the concrete inlet tower and principal spillway have been replaced.

Chief Reed authorized the national pilot rehabilitation project in July l998.

The nation's 10,000 upstream dams were built primarily for flood control but also provide many other benefits, including municipal water supply, recreation, and wildlife habitat. These dams and related conservation practices in the watersheds comprise a $14 billion national infrastructure.

A national memorandum of understanding between USDA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency was also signed at the ceremony, spelling out new joint efforts to help communities reduce their vulnerability to natural disasters such floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires.

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