News Release Archive

Media Advisory - Groundbreaking Event for the Folsom Dam Joint Federal Project on January 11, 2008

Media Contact: Jeffrey McCracken, 916-978-5100, 12/26/2007 18:52

For Release: December 26, 2007

Sacramento area Flood Control Agency

The Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Central Valley Flood Protection Board (previously known as The Reclamation Board of the State of California), and the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency will hold a Groundbreaking on Friday, January 11, 2008, to celebrate the beginning of construction of the Folsom Dam Joint Federal Project (JFP) auxiliary spillway. 

The auxiliary spillway will include a 1,000-foot-long approach channel; a concrete control structure, including six submerged tainter gates; a 3,000-foot-long spillway chute; and a stilling basin.  When completed in 2015, the JFP will address hydrologic risk to Folsom Dam and achieve the Corps' flood damage reduction objectives at Folsom Dam.  

WHAT:  Groundbreaking event for the Folsom Dam JFP.  Dignitaries will activate a 100-foot-wide pyrotechnics display simulating a blast beginning excavation of the new spillway.

WHEN/WHERE:  Friday, January 11, 2008, at 11 a.m. at the Folsom Dam Overlook on Folsom Dam Road, Folsom, California.  Event is anticipated to last 1 to 1½ hours.

WHO:  Confirmed speakers include Representatives Matsui, Lungren, and Doolittle; and Senators Boxer and Feinstein or their representatives.  Invited are Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

DIRECTIONS:  From I-50, exit at Folsom Blvd; turn north.  Turn east on Natoma St.; continue 5 miles to Folsom Dam Road; turn left at the stop light.  Vehicles must stop at the guard shelter before proceeding to the media parking area. 

For security purposes, RSVPs are required.  Please RSVP by Wednesday, January 9, 2008, to Janet Sierzputowski, jsierzputowski@mp.usbr.gov (916-978-5112), or Lynnette Wirth, lwirth@mp.usbr.gov (916-978-5102).  Additional information on the JFP and flood control is available at:  http://www.usbr.gov/mp/jfp/index.html,  http://www.spk.usace.army.mil/projects/civil/folsom/index.html, http://www.recbd.ca.gov/, and http://www.safca.org/.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

Groundbreaking Event for the Folsom Dam Joint Federal Project

Army Corps Of Engineers