News Release Archive

Reclamation suspends Boca Dam construction for winter season

Media Contact: Jeff Hawk, 916-978-5100 , jhawk@usbr.gov

For Release: November 08, 2019

TRUCKEE, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation today announced the suspension of Boca Dam seismic modifications project for the 2019/2020 winter within the next week. The reservoir has been operating at around half its capacity, about 28-feet lower than maximum water levels, in summer and fall of 2019 during construction.

The mandatory reservoir drawdown will be lifted for winter. The project will resume in spring 2020 until completed in fall 2020. Boca Dam is located six miles northeast of Truckee.

During the project, Stampede Meadows Road has remained open with traffic controls. The road over Boca Dam will remain closed through the end of the project. The alternative route to Boca Campground and other recreational facilities on the west side of the reservoir is Prosser Dam Road to Boca Road.

The original construction of Boca Dam was completed in 1939; the dam is 116-feet high and 1,630-feet long. The dam creates Boca Reservoir with a capacity of about 40,000 acre-feet. The reservoir regulates the Little Truckee River and provides water for irrigation, recreation, fish and wildlife benefits and municipal and industrial uses in Truckee Meadows. The dam is owned by Reclamation and operated by the Washoe County Water Conservation District.

More information can be found at the project website, www.usbr.gov/mp/sod/projects/boca.

Learn more about Reclamation’s Safety of Dams Program at www.usbr.gov/ssle/damsafety.

Direct questions to 530-892-6262 (TTY 800-877-8339) or sha-wco-cfiles@usbr.gov, the Interior Region 10 California-Great Basin Construction Office.

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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.