The Dam Safety Office in Denver, Colorado, operates under the Deputy Director, Operations-West in Phoenix, Arizona. This office provides program assistance and facilitates technical assistance to BIA and individual Indian Tribes.
Reclamation completed about $3.9 million of SOD technical and program assistance in FY2001, and contributed to improving dam safety on the following Reservations:
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The two articles below are examples of the wide range of activities in the Dam Safety Office.
Reclamation's Safety of Dams Assistance to Bureau of Indian Affairs/Tribes, Many Farms Dam Modification
Many Farms Dam and Dikes are located on the Navajo Indian Reservation in northeastern Arizona. The dam, originally built in 1943, is constructed across the Sheep Dip Creek approximately 1 mile east of the town of Many Farms. The reservoir, even though fed by Sheep Dip Creek and several small, unnamed tributaries, is essentially an off-stream storage facility that receives water by diversion from Chinle Wash. The Navajo Nation Many Farms Irrigation Office operates the reservoir. Many Farms Dam consists of a main dam, three dikes, a spillway, and an outlet works. Dam failure woud result in inundating may residences.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Navajo Area Office contracted with Reclamation to provide design and construction management services for the Safety of Dams (SOD) modifications. Reclamation's Technical Service Center (TSC) designed the modified dam, dikes, and appurtenant structures. Reclamation's Farmington Construction Office (FCO) performed the construction management services.
Before the SOD modifications, Many Farms Dam had the following deficiencies:
- Unsatisfactory seepage conditions at the dam and dike embankments from the lack of a functioning toe drain, presence of dispersive materials, and untreated joints in the abutments
- Inadequate upstream slope protection for the dam and dike embankments
- Inability of the dam and appurtenances to accommodate flood events greater than 36 percent of the Probable Maximum Flood
- Excessive settlement of the dam embankment
- Unsatisfactory structural condition of the outlet works
Construction of the modifications began in September 1999 and were completed in October 2001. The BIA SOD Program funded the construction costs (approximately $13 million).
Managing Water for Today and Tomorrow: Tribal/BIA Water Management Workshop
Reclamation's Technical Service Center's Dam Safety Office recently sponsored the 1st Tribal/ BIA Water Management Workshop in Denver. The workshop stressed the importance of water conservation and future challenges for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Tribal water users in meeting new and increasing water needs. The workshop was designed for personnel directly responsible for the technical details of operating and maintaining water systems. Of the 113 participants, 33 different tribal agencies were represented as well as operating personnel from regional offices, and Bureau of Indian Affairs employees.
The 2001 workshop again emphasized Reclamation's priority on efficient water management and conservation. Cliff Hall, BIA/Blackfoot Agency, discussed what trust had to do with their Tribal land and water and how it relates to irrigation operation and maintenance. Jeff Hinkins spoke on the historical creation of Headgate Rock Dam and its relationship to the Colorado River Project area. Specialists from several Reclamation offices and representatives from irrigation districts led sessions. The topics included project management, developing strategies and plans for proper and effective operation and maintenance, and concrete and earth construction and repairs. The sessions also covered sedimentation, pump and electrical maintenance, corrosion control, hazardous materials management, and environmental considerations. Participants also toured Reclamation's research laboratories.
Sessions also stressed water management and conservation, including water management and conservation planning; irrigation system efficiency; demand scheduling of a canal system; canal system operation, control, and automation; water measurement; and seepage control including geo-membranes, water stop, and sealants. These sessions also included design, installation, and maintenance of pipe systems; vegetation management and pest control; and drainage of irrigated lands.
Two special 4-hour sessions (one for district managers and board of director personnel and one for ditchriders) well received and will be offered again at future workshops.
about the Native American Affairs Office