Boca Dam Safety of Dams Project
| Boca Dam | Terminal Dam |
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Boca Dam, Truckee Storage Project, California |
Reclamation has initiated a Corrective Action Study to identify and develop alternatives to strengthen Boca Dam and reduce the risk of earthquake damage. The dam is located in Nevada County, California, about 5 miles northeast of the City of Truckee, on the confluence with the Truckee River.
Boca Dam is located in a seismically active area. Exploration and analyses indicate that foundation materials beneath the dam may be susceptible to loss of strength during a major earthquake. The loss of strength, known as liquefaction, could result in substantial consequences, although the possibility of dam failure is remote. Analyses also indicate the dam’s concrete spillway may have seismic deficiencies.
Boca Dam was completed in 1939 and has a structural height of 116 feet and a crest length of 1,630 feet. The dam provides flood protection for Reno and Sparks, Nevada. The dam impounds Boca Reservoir, which has a storage capacity of 41,141 acre-feet at water surface elevation 5605. The reservoir is used to regulate the Truckee River and provide water for irrigation, recreation, fish and wildlife benefits, and drought supplies for municipal and industrial users in the Reno metropolitan area. The dam is owned by Reclamation and operated and maintained by the Washoe County Water Conservation District.
Status: Field investigations were performed in 2012 to better characterize the foundation materials. The National Environmental Policy Act process is currently underway. Development of corrective action alternatives will begin during 2013. Final design will occur after selection of the preferred alternative. A modification of the dam is not expected to occur until 2016 or later.
For additional information, please contact MP Region Safety of Dams or call 916-978-5537
Last updated on: February 13, 2013