BILLINGS, Mont. -- Rehabilitation of the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam began in September 2011 with work focused on the radial gates and radial gate bays. The contractors, Moltz Constructors Inc. and Engineering & Construction Innovations, will be performing similar work on the sluice gates and sluice gate bays beginning the week of May 14.

The sluice gate work is expected to take 8 to 12 weeks to complete. During this time, public access to the sluiceway stilling basin on the south abutment of the Afterbay Dam will be restricted. Vehicular access across the Afterbay Dam to the Bighorn River launch site will not be impacted.

"Releases to the Bighorn River will be maintained through the five radial gates while the work on the sluice gates is occurring," said Chris Gomer, Project Engineer with Reclamation's Montana Area Office. "No fluctuations in releases to the river are anticipated as a result of the work," Gomer added.

For additional information, please contact Paula Holwegner of the Bureau of Reclamation at 406-247-7300.