Bureau of Reclamation News: Underwater Inspections to be Conducted at Taylor Park and Silver Jack Dams

Upper Colorado Region
Salt Lake City, Utah

Media Contact:

Justyn Hock
(970) 248-3625

Steve McCall
(970) 248-0638

Released On: September 20, 2010

Underwater Inspections to be Conducted at Taylor Park and Silver Jack Dams

Reclamation will have divers conduct underwater inspections of the outlet works and stilling basins at Taylor Park Dam on Tuesday, September, 28 and Silver Jack Dam on Wednesday, September 29. Both dams are located in Gunnison County, Colo.

At Taylor Park Dam, releases will periodically be reduced to 25 cubic-feet-per-second for safety and visibility reasons for the dive team. Experience from similar inspections in 1993, 1999, and 2004 showed that releases can be reduced for no longer than 15 minutes to protect the Taylor River fishery. Divers will limit dive time to 15 minutes or less, and the river downstream from the dam will be monitored during the dive. If impacts to the fishery develop during monitoring, the dive will be terminated. Colorado Division of Wildlife will participate in monitoring and water users and fishery contacts have been notified.

At Silver Jack Dam downstream flows will not be affected during the dive.

For more information contact Steve McCall or Justyn Hock.

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Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at www.usbr.gov.