Yuma, Ariz. - The Bureau of Reclamation's (Reclamation) Yuma Area Office announced today that it will begin an assortment of bank line improvement, channel clearing and wash fan maintenance projects along the lower Colorado River in the Aha Quin area, beginning on October 12, 2010. The projects are located near River Mile 151 on the Colorado River, North of Blythe, Calif., and below the Agnes Wilson Bridge, near the Water Wheel Resort.

As part of the planned construction activities, Reclamation work crews will perform both channel clearing and maintenance work on the Paradise Point, Quin Sabe, and Manson wash fans - removing accumulated river silt and rock deposits from these locations. In addition, as part of the channel maintenance activities, workers will replace two culverts at the East channel inlet and remove river silt and rock deposits from the West channel inlet.

This routine maintenance work is being performed to ensure continued Colorado River water deliveries to water users in the Colorado River Indian Tribes and Palo Verde farming areas.

Recreational water users and watercraft operators are encouraged to exercise extreme caution and to stay clear of all Reclamation construction operations occurring along the river in this area. Reclamation anticipates all channel maintenance work to be completed in this area by mid-December 2010.