"We're very impressed with the work done on this project," said Chuck Pedersen, Operation and Maintenance Chief in Loveland who oversees operations and maintenance on the Colorado-Big Thompson Project for Reclamation. "The contractor, Lillard and Clark, was scheduled to install box culverts over the course of two years. Instead, they’ve finished a year ahead of schedule."

Pole Hill conduit was a concrete-lined, open-faced canal prior to the work. Concrete deterioration, evaporation losses, and other maintenance concerns were starting to have an impact on the half-mile long conduit after nearly 60 years of operation. The contractors replaced the open concrete structure with more than 300 box culverts, creating a closed canal. The improvement will save tens of millions of dollars in maintenance over the coming years.

"We had good weather and a good plan," explained Paul Wagner, Project Manager for Lillard and Clark. "We enjoyed working with Reclamation. It was entirely a team effort and we’re excited how everything came together."

Pole Hill Canal is part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project and helps divert 220,000 acre-feet of water a year for northeastern Colorado. It also helps generate 759 million kilo-Watt hours of electricity each year.

For more information on Pole Hill and the C-BT, please contact Kara Lamb at (970) 962-4326 or klamb@usbr.gov.