Walkoviak said, "It is important that area residents know they will see crews and equipment working at the dam." He said the drilling is designed to collect geological information to help in the ongoing evaluation of the dam's performance.

He said the concrete dam, which is operated and maintained by the Lugert-Altus Irrigation District, was completed in 1945. It stores water for irrigation and municipal use and provides fish and wildlife and recreation benefits.

There are also five earthen dikes which help impound the reservoir in low-lying areas. Drilling will occur on the dikes later in the summer, according to Walkoviak.