News Release Archive

Reclamation Seeks Comment on Draft EA Dam Safety Corrective Actions at Box Butte Dam

Media Contact: Lucas Milheiser, (308) 345-8323, lmilheiser@usbr.gov

For Release: January 11, 2016

MCCOOK, Neb. -- The Bureau of Reclamation has announced the availability and opportunity to comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for Box Butte Dam Safety of Dams Corrective Action. Reclamation prepared the Draft EA to evaluate the environmental consequences of undertaking corrective actions at Box Butte Dam, located in Dawes County, in order to reduce the risk of dam failure to satisfactory levels.

Reclamation has evaluated several alternatives, including:

  1. Taking no action and continuing monitoring;
  2. Replacing the toe drain on Box Butte Dam;
  3. Permanently restricting Box Butte Reservoir to an elevation of 3,995 feet.

To view and/or comment on the Draft EA, please visit Reclamation's website at http://www.usbr.gov/gp/nkao/nepa/box_butte.html. Hard copies of the EA are available upon request at the contact information below.

Comments on the Draft EA will be accepted January 15 through February 12, 2016. Comments may also be sent by U.S. Mail to:

Bureau of Reclamation
Attn: Lucas Milheiser
1706 W. 3rd Street
McCook, NE 69001

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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:

Nebraska-Kansas Area Office Home Page