Winter 2013-2014 RECLAMATIONManaging Water in the West Plains Talk NEWS FROM THE GREAT PLAINS REGION Plains Talk Issue 01-2014: contents PuBlISHER Tyler Johnson 1 ECAO Bounces Back From Historic Flooding From September 9-16, rain fell in record amounts, elevating the region from drought to critical, EDITOR life-threatening flood. Buck Feist

ASSISTANT EDITOR Sterling Rech 4 Dakotas Buried with October Snowstorm GRAPHICS An early October snowstorm blanketed the Black Hills area with between 19-55 inches of snow. Jerry leggate Tobias Taylor 5 Diamond Creek Shines with New Pump Motors NEwSPAPER TEAM Carl Christensen, Montana The pumping plant maintains pond elevation and the only means of evacuating Diamond Creek Patience Hurley, Dakotas runoff into Reservoir. Jay Dallman, Kara lamb, Colorado Kimberley Parish, Oklahoma & Texas Sandra Hoard, Nebraska & Kansas 7 Archaeologists Recover Mammoth Remains Plains Talk is an employee On Nov. 12, 2013, the Foss State Park Manager notified Reclamation’s Oklahoma-Texas Area publication devoted to the in- Office (OTAO) that a local resident had found portions of an exposed mammoth skill and tusks terests of Reclamation’s Great on the shoreline at Foss Lake in Oklahoma. Plains Region. Plains Talk is published from the Great Plains Office of Public Affairs. To be added to the Plains Talk 9 Snake Creek Pumping Plant Revitalized mailing list, submit your name and mailing address: “We experienced over 100,000 visitor days in 2010,” said Mike Haigler, NCRBP. “By 2030, we expect to see nearly 130,000 ...” Bureau of Reclamation U.S. Department of the Interior 2021 4th Avenue North Billings, MT 59101 11 The Darkest Skies in the Country Phone: 406-247-7610 Email: [email protected] These skies are so dark that under the best conditions, the Milky Way Galaxy has been known to cast shadows. Submission Guidelines:

Articles and other materials for publication should be sent to 12 MTAO Supports Day of Caring the Great Plains Public Affairs Office, Attn: Plains Talk Editor, In one day, 35 non-profits received a total of $40,460.85 worth of volunteer impact. GP-1240, or email to bfeist@ usbr.gov. Plains Talk encourages em- 13 Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary ployee submissions, and as- sists with developing ideas. “Shoshone was chosen because it was built in the 1920s to provide power for construction of Questions about stories or another Reclamation project and later supplied excess electricity to Wyoming towns. It illus- photographic essays should be trates one of the two ways Reclamation got into the power business.” directed to the Plains Talk edi- tor, at 406-247-7610.

Cover: The scene below the Big Thompson Siphon several days after the peak of the Colorado flooding in Sept. 2013.

Back Cover: Maintenance at Shoshone Power Plant. contents ECAO Recovery, p. 1 14 Cy-Ark 3D Imaging Shoshone Power Plant “Our heritage is much more than our collective memory, it is our collective treasure. We owe it to our children, our grandchildren, and the generations we will never meet to keep it safe and pass it along.” 16 Fish Passage at lower Yellowstone Intake Diversion Dam: History and Progress

Snake Creek, p. 9 The Lower Yellowstone Project delivers water diverted from the river to irrigate about 400 farms and 53,000 acres of farmland in Montana and North Dakota.

19 Photo Tips from GP’s Regional Photographer

Reclamation photography is similar to forensic imaging, where a “chain of custody” is critical for some uses. 20 GP’s Drill Crew Conducts Exploration at Seminoe Dam

“GP’s crews are in the field for extended periods, under extreme working conditions with Seminoe Dam, p. 20 temperatures anywhere from 120-degrees-above-zero to 40-degrees-below-zero.” 24 Dakotas welcomes YCC; Supports Youth Initiative

The initiative helped Reclamation and our partners administer land resources and create better habitat.

25 lower Rio Grande Study Shows Shortfall in Future water Supply Photo Contest, p. 26 “Basin studies are an important element of the Department of the Interior’s WaterSMART initiative and give us a clearer picture of the possible future gaps between water demand and our available supplies,” Connor said. 26 Great Plains 2013 Photo Contest The results are in! The 2013 GP Photo Contest produced the most photo entries to date, with 117 images submitted showing the diverse activities, facilities, people, and wildlife in the Great Plains Region.

30 David Scanson: 2013 Great Plains Region Engineer of the Year ECAO Bounces Back From Historic Flooding

(Top) Road entering the Big-Thompson Canyon during the Colorado flooding Sept. 2013. (Bottom) Dille Dam during the flood the morning of Sept. 13. ECAO Staff Report Typically, na- tive flow in the In September 2013, a series of small canyon is heavy rainstorms from the Gulf of less than 10 cfs. Mexico stayed stationary against The 200 cfs the Continental Divide, impacting had cleared much of northeastern Colorado. decades of trees From September 9-16, rain fell in and undergrowth record amounts, elevating the re- from below the gion from drought status to above dam and washed average seasonal precipitation. debris into the The area of Estes Park received power plant’s nine inches of rain in a 24-hour pe- afterbay. riod between midnight September The most tell- 11-midnight September 12. ing impacts were Little Hells Canyon reached 200 cfs during the flood- The east slope of the Colora- ing, effectively clearing vegetation downstream of the at the facilities at dam. do-Big Thompson Project runs the mouth of the through this region of the state. Big Thompson Canyon. Several of ECAO’s C-BT facili- More than eleven feet of sedi- neled to its rightful place within a ties were impacted: East Portal, ment was deposited by the flood handful of days,” she said. Lake Estes, Pole Hill Afterbay, across the mouth of the canyon. “We were able to clear debris Little Hells Diversion Dam, Dille The sediment buried the tail race from the Pole Hill afterbay almost Diversion Dam, Big Thompson Si- at the Big Thompson Power plant immediately. But for other facili- phon and the Big Thompson Power and the trunk of a tree was driven ties, like Dille and the Big T plant, Plant. part way through the plant’s up- long term work is being planned.” During the storm, Reclamation stream side. Part of what made repair and operated the C-BT in accordance Sections of Highway 34 broke rehabilitation efficient was a strong with the Emergency Action Plan. away from the retaining wall and support network. On September 16, ECAO acti- wrapped partially around the pier “We had support from across vated a Damage Assessment and of the Big Thompson Siphon. Reclamation,” Griffitt said. “Fry- Recovery Team to assess and reha- The Siphon, a 220-foot pipe Ark O&M staff came over from bilitate C-BT facilities impacted by that carries water from Flatiron to their facilities to spend days at a the storm and flood. Horsetooth Reservoir, spans the time assisting their C-BT counter- “The first thing we learned,” said canyon mouth. parts. Monica Griffitt, ECAO’s Chief of For Reclamation, one of the most “Staff came from Billings and Engineering, “was that the East striking images from the flood was Denver to conduct assessments; Slope of the C-BT was partially that of Dille Diversion Dam in the and the Provo Team from the Up- operational, but we had our work “Narrows” section of the canyon. per Colorado Region detailed to cut out for us.” It took several weeks for flood our office to help clear debris and Wind River had rerouted itself waters in the Big Thompson River repair access roads.” around East Portal, overflowing its to recede enough for safe access to By December, short term repairs culvert and running directly into the site. Once access was possible, were completed, and the C-BT the small afterbay. a full assessment of Dille’s true Project resumed operations De- Little Hells Diversion Dam, condition was conducted. cember 12, 2013. located below a rock-cut out de- “After each facility assessment “Considering the magnitude signed to reroute the north fork of was complete, our next step was to of the flooding, our work came the Little Thompson River away draft a plan of action for repair,” together in relatively short order,” from Pole Hill Power Plant, saw Griffitt said. “For facilities like Griffitt said. “Team work is what native rain run-off flows of over East Portal, this was done immedi- really pulled us through.” 200 cubic-feet-per-second. ately and Wind River was rechan-

page 1 Grand Shadow Lake Mountain Horsetooth Reservoir Reservoir Dille

Diversion photo by Colorado National Guard

Lake Granby from Willow Creek Lake Reservoir

Estes photo by City of Loveland

Big Thompson Power Plant

Estes Reservoir Estes Pole Flatiron Hill Marys Pinewood Lake East Portal Reservoir Carter Lake

Adams Tunnel

Big Thompson Siphon

Simplified Project Overview with Impacted Facility Images

N 0 1 2 5 10 Little Hells miles Diversion power plant project canal, conduit or tunnel for water delilivery Denver COLORADO

Area of Detailed Map

The Colorado-Big Thompson Flood of 2013 September 20, 2013 Grand Shadow Lake Mountain Horsetooth Reservoir Reservoir Dille

Diversion photo by Colorado National Guard

Lake Granby from Willow Creek Lake Reservoir

Estes photo by City of Loveland

Big Thompson Power Plant

Estes Reservoir Estes Pole Flatiron Hill Marys Pinewood Lake East Portal Reservoir Carter Lake

Adams Tunnel

Big Thompson Siphon

Simplified Project Overview with Impacted Facility Images

N 0 1 2 5 10 Little Hells miles Diversion power plant project canal, conduit or tunnel for water delilivery Denver COLORADO

Area of Detailed Map

The Colorado-Big Thompson Flood of 2013 September 20, 2013 An early October snowstorm blanketed the Black Hills, South Dakota, area with between 19 and 55 inches of snow. Rapid City set a record for a single-day snowfall of 13.4 inches on Friday, October 4. Reclamation reservoirs experienced vastly increased inflows as a result of the storm and were carefully monitored. These images show the Rapid City National Weather Service Office and parking lot during the storm.

page 4 Diamond Creek Shines with New Pump Motors

(Above) Workers guide electrical cables as the pump assembly is lowered into place at the Diamond Creek Pumping Plant, near Buffalo Bill Reservoir in northwestern Wyoming.

By Jay Dallman, WYAO Diamond Creek Dike is 7,700 feet long and has a crest elevation of 5412 feet. The dike impounds Two worn out pump/motor assemblies were re- the reservoir on its west side and captures natural placed this year at the Diamond Creek Pumping drainage and irrigation return flows on its east side plant adjacent to Buffalo Bill Reservoir in northwest- in Diamond Creek Pond. Diamond Creek Pond’s ern Wyoming. drainage basin is approximately 15 square miles and The most recent replacement was accomplished average irrigation season inflows are approximately during the week of September 23. 35 cfs. When Buffalo Bill Dam was raised 25 feet in the The normal pond surface elevation is maintained late 1980s and early 1990s, Diamond Creek Dike at elevation 5340.0 feet (more than 50 feet lower was constructed to prevent flooding in the Irma Flat than a full conservation pool in Buffalo Bill Reser- residential area on the reservoir’s east side. voir) by Diamond Creek Pumping Plant.

page 5 failed assembly. Replacement of a pump assem- bly is accomplished in-house by WYAO personnel. Heavy equipment operator Dave Kuehl transports the Grove Crane up to Cody from Casper. He then assists Buffalo Bill O&M Person- nel with the replacement which usually takes several days. Facility Man- ager Mark Skoric emphasized the importance of a team effort. “WYAO Operations and Main- tenance personnel must work together as a team in order to install a new pump assembly as quickly as possible to restore (Above) The crew lowers the pump assembly into the well (looking critical pumping plant capacity,” south along the east face of Diamond Creek Dike). Skoric said. With each pump assembly There are five pump/motor as- tract has been awarded to a ven- replacement, Skoric’s team is semblies at the pumping plant. dor. For this reason, WYAO keeps becoming more familiar with the Each pump/motor assembly is a two spare assemblies in stock. Diamond Creek Pumping Plant 125 horsepower, 480 volt, linear One of the spares was utilized and gaining valuable experience. induction motor design. this past July to replace a failed Their knowledge and skills related Each unit is capable of pumping assembly. The second spare was to plant maintenance will ensure 5,600 gallons per minute (12.5 cu- installed during the week of continued reliable operation of the bic feet per second). Total pump- September 23 to replace another plant well into the future. ing plant capacity is 62.5 cubic feet per second if all five pumps are on-line and operating at full capacity. The pumping plant provides the only means of maintaining the pond elevation and evacuating Diamond Creek flood volumes into Buffalo Bill Reservoir. In addition, the pond serves as a sump to help minimize ground- water problems in the surrounding areas. Unfortunately, the pump/motor assemblies are prone to failure. They can last up to several years, or, they may last less than a year. The pump/motor assemblies are long-lead-time procurement items and take approximately 4 to (Above) Crews inspect the pump assembly prior to installation. 6 months for delivery once a con- page 6 OTAO Archeologists Recover Ancient Mammoth

(Above) Mammoth remains recovered at Foss State Park, Oklahoma.

By Kate Ellision, OTAO tions. are exposed or endangered in un- On Nov. 14, OTAO archeolo- anticipated emergency situations. On Nov. 12, 2013, the Foss gists Kate Ellison and Bob Blas- A new modification was is- State Park Manager notified ing accompanied State Park sued under this agreement for the Reclamation’s Oklahoma-Texas employees to the site to confirm excavation, evaluation and pos- Area Office (OTAO) that a local that the remains were indeed that sible recovery of the mammoth resident had found portions of an of a mammoth. remains. exposed mammoth skull and tusks Reclamation has a five year On Dec. 11, 2013, Dr. Lee Be- on the shoreline at Foss Lake in cooperative partnership with the ment and a crew of students from Oklahoma. Oklahoma Archeological Survey OU began excavation. The remains had been exposed (OAS) at the University of Okla- Archeologists Kate Ellison and due to record low water levels homa (OU), to protect or recover Bob Blasing from Reclamation’s caused by current drought condi- human and cultural remains that OTAO assisted as well as person-

page 7 (Above) OTAO Staff, OU team and Foss State Park employees excavate mammoth remains discovered at Foss State Park, Oklahoma.

nel from Foss State Park. used a backhoe to lift the skull out separate soil sample were brought It was determined by Dr. Be- of the ground. back to the OAS for cleaning and ment that the remains belonged to All of the mammoth remains testing to determine age. a young Columbian mammoth. were taken out of the excavation, The original locator of the Columbian mammoths were and trenches were dug on all four remains turned in the mammoth herbivores, eating varied plants sides to see if any other remains tusks, teeth, and other bones col- ranging from grasses to conifers. were there. lected at the lake. This particular species lived in Nothing else besides the skull For more information about the area from 11,000 to 30,000 and tusks were found; the entire the Columbian mammoth, visit: years ago. area was filled back in on Dec. 16. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Co- After testing parts of the skull The mammoth remains and a lumbian_mammoth. and the surrounding soil, a more exact date may be reached. The mammoth remains were found in the lake bed, which has been covered by water since 1960 until the drought of the last three years. With an estimated weight of 600 lbs, removing the skull out of the excavation unit would prove a Mammoth display at at the Royal challenge. British Columbia A State Park employee skillfully Museum, Victoria, British Columbia. page 8 Dakotas Snake Creek Pumping Plant Revitalized

Snake Creek Pumping Plant prior to beginning the demolition and reconstruction of the brick walls. The plant is located on Lake Sakakawea north of Bismarck, ND.

By Patience Hurley, DKAO placement are critical to assure the filling the lake to an elevation of pumping plant retains its integrity approximately 1847.2 feet in an Reclamation awarded a $3.2 into the future,” said Dakotas Area effort to maintain acceptable lake million contract to Graycon Corp. Office Area Manager Dick Long. levels throughout the demolition of Loveland, Colo., to replace the “The extent of damage to the and construction. Snake Creek Pumping Plant brick brick could no longer be repaired Reclamation discontinued walls and roof. and needed a total replacement to pumping water into Audubon The process of demolition and ensure continued operation of the Lake during the work on the reconstruction is expected to con- pumping plant.” pumping plant, as the construction tinue through January 2014. Reclamation began pumping left the pumping plant inoperable “The brick walls and roof re- water into Audubon Lake May 14, since this initial spring pump-

page 9 Nov. 2013 - Extreme weather conditions made working conditions challenging at Snake Creek Pumping Plant ing. Based on water loss and evaporation, and water deliveries to irrigators through the McClusky Canal, Audubon Lake has receded to elevation 1845.2. The pumping plant pumps water from Lake Sakakawea into Lake Audubon and serves irrigators and provides fish and wildlife benefits. In addition, the plant pumps water for the Chain of Lakes Area. The only impacts were anticipated to include dock owners on Lake Audubon needing to move their docks closer to the lake as water levels declined throughout the summer. Boaters were also encouraged to pay extra attention to unexpected shallow areas rarely seen on the lake. June 2013 - Snake Creek Pumping Plant modifications to brick Normal pumping operations will resume masonry walls and steel structure. in 2014. page 10 The Darkest Skies in the Country

Story Originally Published on 1011now.com, Lincoln, Neb.

By Zach Thompson

It’s a party like no other and one of cosmic proportions. The Nebraska Star Party is the meeting ground for astronomy and outdoor enthusiasts and celebrates an important milestone this year. Come out to the Sandhills of Nebraska, in Cherry county, Astronomy and outdoor enthusiasts gather every year at the Nebraska and you will see more stars than Star Party, located in the Sand Hills in Cherry County, Neb. This area is you’ve ever seen in your life. known to have some of the darkest skies in the country, offering some That’s because these are some of the best views the night sky has to offer. of the most clear and dark skies can actually find the objects that come out here and see the Milky in the country. And for one week you know are in the sky, that you Way and see the Space Station in August, this is where the Ne- can’t see when you’re in Illinois. pass over; to see meteors and braska Star Party happens. So it’s worth the 740 mile drive, planets,” says Anderson. “I just For founder Tom Miller, this which I’ve made for 10 years in a think it’s a wonderful experience is the perfect spot to look at the row, to see these dark skies.” for all kids. And like me, back night sky. These skies are so dark that un- in Ashland, Nebraska, looking “I looked at a dark sky map der the best conditions, the Milky through a telescope is what got and this was like a black hole on Way Galaxy has been known to me excited about space.” that map! We checked the place cast shadows. Cherry county isn’t the only out and we couldn’t even find the But there’s more to the Nebras- place in Nebraska to enjoy the road or see our car. You can’t get ka Star Party than just observing night sky. Go out on a clear much darker than that.” dark skies. It’s also about getting evening away from town or city Merritt Reservoir, just south people excited about astronomy lights and just watch and wait. of Valentine, was the designated while meeting new friends who Check out astronomy clubs in place for the party and it’s been share that same love for the final your area to learn about what’s going strong for 20 years now; frontier. up in the night sky. Because it’s drawing people from all across It’s for these reasons that a star when the sun disappears below the country all looking for the much closer to home, Nebraska’s the horizon and the sky begins to same thing. own astronaut Clay Anderson, is light up under a mosaic of con- “Two words: ‘dark skies’”, says checking out these dark condi- stellations and cosmic wonders, Jim Hopkins of Illinois. “I live tions. that we understand our place in in light-polluted Chicagoland “I can only imagine what it the ever-unfolding story of the and this is a place where you might be like for a young kid to Universe. page 11 (Above) Anthony Chavez and Kathy Samuelson volunteer at the annual Day of Caring event in Billings, Mont.

Montana Area Office employees Kathy Samuelson on a one-mile walk around the St. John’s campus and Anthony Chavez are no strangers to volunteer- stopping every 500 feet, at a prescribed location, for ing. They got the volunteer bug early in their profes- health information, treats and fun prizes. sional careers, while serving in the military, having The afternoon was filled with laughter, deep logged hundreds of hours of volunteer service both thought, and assurance that both will be back next in the U.S. and abroad. year to participate in this great opportunity to sup- So, when St. John’s Lutheran Ministries asked for port the community. assistance through the United Way Day of Caring, Both Chavez and Samuelson expressed their ap- it was no surprise that both Samuelson and Chavez preciation for MTAO allowing them the opportunity would answer the call. to take time off from work. The 2013 Day of Caring event took them to St. The Day of Caring is an excellent way for Recla- John’s Lutheran Ministries Senior Center to partici- mation employees to give back to the community. pate in the 50th anniversary of “The Amazing Walk”. This year the “Day of Caring” event celebrated 21 The volunteers were paired with two residents, years of service, with 708 volunteers and 73 projects Mildred and Donna, who were very excited to get across Yellowstone County, totaling 1,827 hours of their Amazing Walk underway and enjoy the beauti- volunteer service. ful Montana day. In one day, 35 non profits received a total of Kathy and Anthony assisted Mildred and Donna $40,460.85 worth of volunteer impact. page 12 Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary Shoshone Chosen for CyArk and NPS Website

Shoshone Power Plant is among Reclamation’s projects listed on the website designed to provide online tourism. Each itinerary listed is a self- guided tour to historic places, most listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The entries spotlight differ- ent communities, geographic regions and themes across the country, and expose on-line visitors to a variety of places significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering and culture.

“Reclamation approached the Park Service about highlighting some of their engineering landmarks in the Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary,” said Christina Dickinson, a historian for the National Park Service.

“Together Reclamation and NPS chose ten hydroelec- tric sites to illustrate power development in the western United States, ranging from early plants like Minidoka in 1909, to Freemont Canyon built in the 1960s,” said Dickinson. “Shoshone was chosen because it was built in the 1920s to provide power for construction of another Reclamation project and later supplied excess electricity to Wyoming towns. Shoshone illustrates one of the ways Reclamation got into the power business.”

The goal of the travel itinerary is to provide opportuni- ties to learn about Reclamation’s role in developing the West. Shoshone was chosen to be the only Reclamation power plant digitally interpreted because it remains largely intact as originally constructed.

“Shoshone will be available to visitors to explore online and encourage them to come visit the dam and visitor center,” Dickinson added. “Its neat that this engineer- ing feat became a popular place to visit along the scenic highway to Yellowstone Park.”

Reclamation’s Travel Itinerary, including Shoshone as shown above, can be found at http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel. Other GP sites chosen include Gibson, Belle Fourche, A CyArk view of the crest of Buffalo Bill Dam from the Glendo, Guernsey and Pathfinder Dams. perspective of the canyon floor.

page 13 “Our Heritage is much more than our collective memory, it is our collective treasure.

We owe it to our children, our grand- children, and the generations we will never meet to keep it safe and pass it along.”

Ben Kacyra, CyArk Founder

Different scanners were used to obtain reference points for each surface of the facility from multiple angles. The large scanner (above left) and a smaller unit in the background image (black tripod on the generator floor) were the work- horses for most of the project. Handheld units gathered details from more intricate surfaces. Reclamation staff and CyArk personnel were recorded moving about during the scan- A cloud of points image of the power ning process but will be removed before plant exterior from the CyArk Shoshone modeling is completed. Project. Digitally Mapping a Historic Reclamation Facility Historic power generation met modern technology as CyArk arrived at the Shoshone Power Plant near Cody, Wyo. For a few days in September, the facility was recorded inside and out for future display as part of the National Park Service’s Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary (see story page 13). Reclamation joined with the Park Service to highlight significant facil- ities. CyArk is documenting a select few of these structures to preserve their original engineering details, making them available to the public and class- rooms. Shoshone is a natural fit because it is a National Engineering Landmark. The face of Buffalo Bill Dam and the canyon downstream to the power plant were scanned to provide context for the building. When complete, website viewers will be able to see the power plant in detail from every angle inside and out. A member of the CyArk team uses a hand-held device to Cy-Ark’s founder, Ben Kacyra invented record detail of the original Shoshone Power Plant control the groundbreaking 3D scanning system panel. Digital images from multiple devices and angles will be combined to create an accurate 3D image map of both that was used. In 2001, the Buddhas of the interior and exterior of the plant. Bamiyan, two 6th century monuments of Buddha carved from native rock in Afghanistan, were destroyed by the Taliban. This triggered Kacyra’s inter- est in digital historic preservation. The diagrammatic image below is of Xochicalco (a pre- Today, CyArk partners with like- Columbian site in Mexico) showing field data collec- minded organizations scan, preserve, tion using a scanner and the resulting 3D cloud of points and make available to the public world image with dimensional data. CyArk uses 3D laser scan- ning, photogrammetry and other advanced technolo- heritage sites in archival detail. Their gies to capture 3D measurable data. The resulting data is challenges and accomplishments are highly accurate and can be used for many different pur- documented at www.cyark.org. poses. Photo courtesy of CyArk. 1910 2012 (Left) Original diversion headworks shortly after placed into operation in 1910 alongside newly com- plted headworks and fish screens (right). Fish Passage at Lower Yellowstone Intake Diversion Dam: History and Progress By Gerald Benock, MTAO is authorized as a single-purpose original intake diversion weir was project to furnish a dependable a 12-foot-high wood and stone The Lower Yellowstone Proj- supply of irrigation water for structure that spans the Yellow- ect in east-central Montana and 53,000 acres of fertile land along stone River and raises the water western North Dakota includes the west bank of the Yellowstone level to provide for diversion of the Lower Yellowstone Diversion River. About one-third of the water into the Lower Yellowstone Dam, Thomas Point Pumping project lands are in North Dakota Project’s main canal. Plant, the main canal, 225 miles and two-thirds in Montana. The system remains in place to- of laterals and 118 miles of drains. The Lower Yellowstone Diver- day and requires rock to be added The Lower Yellowstone Project sion Dam is located approxi- regularly to maintain the water mately 16 miles level required to divert irrigation Lower Yellowstone Project location. downstream of water from the river. Intake Diver- Glendive, near sion Dam has impeded move- Intake Montana ments of pallid sturgeon upstream (Figure 1). The since its construction. original project Pallid sturgeon, a federally was completed listed endangered species, was and ready for use historically present in the Yellow- during the 1909 stone River upstream to at least irrigation season. the confluence with the Tongue The Lower Yel- River (Brown 1971). Although lowstone Project wild adult pallid sturgeons are delivers water regularly documented imme- diverted from the diately below Intake Diversion river to irrigate (Backes et al. 1994; Bramblett and about 400 farms White 2001) upstream encoun- and approxi- ters have declined over the years. mately 53,000 Since 1991 only two adults have acres of farmland been recorded and these record- in Montana and ings were over the last two years North Dakota. The following the historic river flows of 2011. page 16 The restriction to upstream mi- The United States Army Corps along with the Lower Yellowstone gration has created a need to take of Engineers (USACE) is a joint Irrigation Project (LYIP) Board of action to provide safe passage lead agency on the project. They Control. of the Pallid Sturgeon to critical received authorization as part of Over the years numerous studies and historic spawning habitat 165 the 2007 Water Resources Devel- have been conducted and design miles upstream on the Yellow- opment Act to assist Reclamation alternatives evaluated for fish stone River. in the design and construction of passage and entrainment control. The new system must also pre- the Lower Yellowstone Project for As a result of this comprehensive vent future fish loss and entrain- the purposes of ecosystem restora- planning study process, an alter- ment in the main irrigation canal tion. native was selected in 2009 and 2012 while providing a secure irrigation In addition to USACE, Recla- identified as the preferred alterna- water supply to the Lower Yellow- mation has partnered with other tive to achieve both fish passage stone irrigators. Additionally, fish Government agencies such as and entrainment control. In this trapping and monitoring data has the Montana Department of Fish, alternative, entrainment control identified that on average up to Wildlife, and Parks, Montana consisted of a new irrigation head- 500,000 fish of 36 species could Department of Natural Resources works structure on the irrigation be entrained annually in the irriga- and Conservation and the United canal that incorporated mechani- tion canal system. States Fish and Wildlife Service cal fish screens. The new struc-

(Below) Location of the proposed bypass channel in relation to the new headworks (top of image).

page 17 ture was completed in the spring along with the other partners. The sign criteria developed by a team of 2012 and operated successfully process included re-visiting fish of fish and hydraulic specialist for the first time during the 2012 passage alternatives considered that will ensure the best opportu- irrigation season. in previous studies and develop- nity to achieve passage for pallid In the pictures below you can ing new alternatives in an effort sturgeon and other fish species see what the old diversion struc- to determine an alternative that and to continue providing irriga- ture looked like shortly after it would meet design criteria for fish tion water to the LYIP. was placed in operation in 1910 passage, be cost effective and be James Bower, manager of the (top photo) and how it looks today acceptable to stakeholders. four irrigation districts in the next to the newly constructed After numerous meetings, the LYIP, had this to say about the on- headworks (bottom photo). planning team identified a po- going project effort, “the Districts Additionally, fish passage was tentially viable alternative that that I represent have appreciated to be provided by expanding the included a Bypass channel around the initiative and effort that Recla- height and length of the rock ramp the old timber/rock weir and mation undertook to re-engage the structure across the river. After replacing the old rock weir with agencies and successfully re-focus additional design and costing a new diversion structure. This the team in working together to efforts, significantly new informa- system is depicted in the follow- find the most acceptable solution tion on the cost and the ability to ing two figures. that would benefit the endangered construct the rock ramp were real- Reclamation and USACE are species, the farmers, and the local ized. Because of this new infor- currently working on National community. mation it was determined that the Environmental Policy Act Com- The challenge remains, howev- USACE and Reclamation needed pliance documents along with er, to keep all agencies focused on

Overlay of the currently proposed weir design on existing timber structure at intake.

to reconsider previously dropped additional design work for the making progress so that the best alternatives for fish passage. preferred alternative. Subsequent alternative can be implemented This decision was reach based to final NEPA compliance and with available funding so that this on a number of factors including final designs, The USACE expects project becomes a reality.” increased project cost, additional to award a construction contract The environment will benefit construction challenges and the for the selected alternative in fis- if we are successful in achieving lack of confidence in the abil- cal year 2014. The total federal passage of pallid sturgeon and ity of the system to achieve and cost contributed by USACE to other native fish at the Lower maintain long term fish passage assist Reclamation with this ef- Yellowstone Dam. The State of without substantial operation and fort, which includes both the fish Montana, LYIP, USACE and Rec- maintenance resources. passage and entrainment protec- lamation are partners in this effort In an attempt to provide fish tion components, is approximately and are all playing important roles passage at Intake, Reclamation $90 million. in working to accomplish this took the lead in re-initiating the The challenge is to provide a goal. planning study effort in 2013 fish passage system that meets de- page 18 Photo Which image is an official Reclamation record? Q & A:

Thecreates camera it Digital camera file = a film negative

Over the years finished prints have been considered reference mate- The Lower Yellowstone Project headquarters rial – it was the negative that was As a result, the camera-original at Newlon, Montana, as seen on Dec 11, important. More prints could be image should not be modified in 1904. This is a portion of Lower Yellowstone made from negatives without risk- any way: no changing of file types, photo number 41 (the 1904 print was rubber ing the loss of image information. cropping, color correction, resizing, stamped). The number, a description and In fact, original negatives have been recompression or retouching of any date was written on the negative sleeve. This printed on modern photographic kind. Preserve the camera original system of numbering and captioning was later image information with all its glory expanded and formalized by Reclamation as paper a hundred years later with the volume of records grew. results that are superior to surviv- and flaws. Any changes that need to ing prints made at the time. be made to an image for its imme- diate use should only be made to a The same principle applies to the copy – and after the camera-original modern equivalent of a nega- has been preserved. tive. A camera-original image file is deemed a Reclamation record Some of the reasons this is required: because unlimited copies can be produced from it without loss of Reclamation photography is information. similar to forensic imaging where a “chain of custody” is critical for some uses.

Intentionally modifying image information is like cutting a nega- tive in half and discarding the unused part – information lost Never open camera-original files can never be retrieved. in software and then save them as record files. This simple act may The simple act of opening an damage the file and delete valuable A image in software and resaving information. it can significantly degrade the Use copies for placement in quality of the image. documents. Improvements in technology Always rename camera files in a A may allow better use of the im- directory instead of opening them. age later. Superimposed images of the Jamestown flood of 2009. Left of red lines was recovered from a Word document and the right is the camera-original.

page 19 GP’s Drill Crew Conducts Exploration at Seminoe Dam Maintaining this critical infra- structure is more than a full-time job. In the Great Plains Region, like the rest of the bureau, public safety and protection of our facili- ties are top priorities. From June 20, to Sept. 12, 2013, the Great Plains Region’s explora- tion crew worked 10 to 12 hour “GP’s crews are in the field for extended periods under extreme working conditions with temperatures ranging anywhere from 120-degrees- above-zero to 40-de- grees-below-zero.”

days under grueling conditions to gather critical information about Seminoe Dam in Wyo. The crew worked a 10-day- on/4-day-off schedule addressing Safety of Dams (SOD) recom- mendations to assess the dynamic changes of Seminoe Dam. “These explorations are hard Cody White, former drill rig operator helper, is showing the drill rig opera- tion setup. work and challenging,” said Mike Kocian, exploration supervisor. By Kari Scannella, GPRO States, providing irrigation for more than 60 percent of the na- Since 1951, Seminoe Dam has Being a federal employee is not tion’s vegetables and 25 percent been studied through multiple a 9-to-5 job. of its fruits and nuts. investigations (1979; 1998; 1999; Over its 111-year-history, Rec- Reclamation also manages 53 2003; 2009; 2013) to monitor lamation has built more than 600 power plants, generating a billion the on-going and progressive dams and reservoirs. dollars in power revenue each alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in the Reclamation is the largest year and providing enough elec- concrete, which is also referred to wholesaler of water in the United tricity for 3.5 million homes. as alkali-aggregate reaction. page 20 The exploration crew is preparing to hoist the double-tube core barrel assembly with cutting bit and lower it back into the bore hole.

ASR describes a chemical reac- downstream direction. engineered to manage tremendous tion in the concrete between the “Wyoming is a rugged place,” water flows, as well as tremen- high alkalis in the cement (sodium said Coleman Smith, Wyoming dous swings in temperature and and potassium); reactive forms of Area Manager. environmental conditions. silica in certain aggregates (i.e. “Our facilities are required to be “Having folks like the explora- opal, chert, and certain quartzitic and volcanic rocks); and water, which forms an expansive silica gel by product. ASR only occurs due to mois- ture. As the gel absorbs additional moisture, it swells, creating pres- sure that can result in cracking and expansion of concrete struc- tures. The cracking and expansion in the upper portion of Seminoe Dam is enhanced by cyclic freeze/ thaw actions due to the extreme climate conditions. Expansion of the concrete from the ASR also increases compres- sive stresses within the dam, resulting in the dam “growing” upward, know as heaving, and Close up view of the cutting bit (drill bit). also displacing in the upstream/

page 21 tion crew available to provide in- read twice a year and reveal that in a dam” said Chuck Sullivan, formation on our dams is critical the dam has been expanding TSC project geologist, “but these to enabling the safe and effective upstream at a rate of 0.02 feet per operations are vital to gather in- operation of our dams and reser- year since 1979, and the dam has formation about the dam’s struc- voirs,” Smith said. been expanding upward at a rate tural integrity as well as expected Evidence of concrete expansion of 0.01 feet per year since 1988. future conditions.” and displacement has been docu- The 2013 concrete drilling In the past, conventional rock mented at Seminoe Dam since program provided information to coring methods have been used at 1979 through various testing compare with historical data to Seminoe Dam. programs. assist Reclamation’s assessment This process employs a series Five metal settlement and of the extent and rate of concrete of connected, long hollow tubes deflection points were set in the deterioration at Seminoe Dam. (rods or pipes) attached to a concrete on the dam crest in 1979 The exploration program includ- ridged, double-tube core barrel as- to monitor the structural behav- ed drilling five bore holes through sembly with cutting bit. The core ior of the dam. In 2001, 30 more the dam crest to depths between barrel assembly is approximately measurement points were added 35 and 130 feet using the mobile 6-inches in diameter, five-feet across the dam crest. LF70 skid drill rig. long, and consists of an outer tube Crest measurement points are “It might seem odd to drill holes and an inner tube.

The double-tube core barrel assembly is removed from the bore hole after completing the 5-foot sampled inter- val and lowered onto the “horses”. page 22 The outer barrel is a solid tube physical tests in each bore designed to withstand heavy hole, including acoustic feed pressures during bore hole televiewer, sonic, and density advancement through hard or logging surveys. compact bedrock. Surveys are designed to The inner barrel is split evaluate and detect fractures, lengthwise into two halves and and verify the structural in- is designed to make core sample tegrity of the dam’s concrete. retrieval easier and reduce core Subsequent to the comple- loss. tion of the surveys, the To deepen the hole, a 5-foot- exploration crew will backfill long rod is added to the top of each bore hole with a grout the drill string above the ground mix specified by the TSC surface. laboratory. After an approximately five- “I’m proud of these crews foot-long sample interval, each that work so diligently to 5-foot-long rod is removed one ensure our facilities operate at a time from the drill string in both safely and effectively,” the bore hole until the sample said Mike Ryan, Great Plains barrel assembly is retrieved. Regional Director. The process is then reversed “The diversity of skills to continue advancing the bore we have across the region is hole. amazing – and every em- “The drilling process was ployee contributes to deliv- slow and time consuming, and ery of power and water to the the sample quality and recovery Drill Rig Operator lowers the double- American people.” was poor,” said Mike Edmond- tube core barrel assembly with cutting Although working for Recla- bit into the hole and prepares to take son, drill rig operator. “The bulk another 5-foot sample. mation is not a 9-to-5 job, the of the concrete samples were not mission of managing water in intact.” The wire line is then hoisted or the West continues to be criti- For these reasons, the Geology “reeled in” and the inner barrel is cal to ensure a vibrant national and Exploration Services Group disengaged from the outer barrel economy. purchased a new wireline system and slowly pulled from the bore Through the efforts of Recla- for the LF70 skid drill rig in Nov. hole. mation’s employees, millions of 2012. “The new drilling system also Americans receive inexpensive, The wire line is a thin, braided allowed the exploration crew to green, hydropower; an abundance cable that attaches to the drill rig collect more intact core samples, of fresh fruits and vegetables; and is used to hoist the split-tube enabling the concrete cores to be ample water-related recreation inner barrel from the bottom of strength tested at the TSC,” said opportunities; and a strong agri- the bore hole. Kocian. cultural economy. With the new system, core “In previous years, explora- samples are removed from the tions were completed in 3 to 3-1/2 (Contributing: Michael Edmond- bore hole without removing any months; however, with the new son, GPRO Drill Rig Operator; of the rods or outer core barrel. coring system the 2013 project Richard Markiewicz, TSC Geo- The split-tube inner sample bar- was completed in approximately physicist; Jay Dallman, WYAO rel is removed from the bottom of two and a half months.” Natural Resource Specialist) the hole using an overshot system In Mar. 2014, the TSC Seis- (core barrel retrieval) which at- motectonic and Geophysics taches to the top of barrel. Group will conduct in situ geo-

page 23 Dakotas Welcomes YCC, Supports Youth Initiative

Larry Kuntz (far right) takes a break to pose for a photo with the Youth Conservation Corps volunteers work- ing at Heart Butte Dam in Grant County, North Dakota.

By Patience Hurley, DKAO ties related to conservation and outdoor recreation, while sup- The Dakotas Area Office wel- porting existing programs and comed three Youth Conservation that educate and engage Ameri- Corps crews this past summer. cans in our history, culture, and Partnering with the YCC re- natural bounty. duced fencing contract costs and The partnership helped Rec- developed the youths’ skills. lamation and our partners to Projects were completed at administer land resources and Keyhole Reservoir, Wyo.; Shade- create better habitat. hill Reservoir, S.D.; and Dickin- YCC volunteers walk new fence line. Projects ranged from construct- son Reservoir, N.D. ing boundary fence, repairing DKAO’s work supported the interior fence and removing dead President’s America’s Great Outdoors program, trees from shelter belts. focusing on areas that help Americans reconnect with Although fence construction was new to many on the great outdoors. the crews, the crew’s ability to learn quickly and The program includes job and volunteer opportuni- work hard made the projects successful. page 24 Lower Rio Grande Study Shows Shortfall in Future Water Supply In Dec. 2013, Commissioner Michael L. Connor Seawater desalination, brackish groundwater de- released the Lower Rio Grande Basin Study, evaluat- salination, reuse and fresh groundwater development ing the impacts of climate change on water demand were examined as alternatives to meet future water and supply imbalances along the Rio Grande at the demands. U.S./Mexico border from Fort Quitman, Texas, to The study found that brackish groundwater devel- the Gulf of Mexico. opment was most suitable. An appraisal-level plan “Basin studies are an important element of the formulation and evaluation process was conducted to Department of the Interior’s WaterSMART initiative determine potential locations of each regional brack- and give us a clearer picture of the possible future ish groundwater desalination system. gaps between water The Lower Rio Grande demand and our available Basin Study was de- supplies,” Connor said. veloped by Reclama- “This study of the low- tion and the Rio Grande er Rio Grande basin will Regional Water Authority provide water managers and its 53 member enti- with science-based tools ties. It was conducted in to make important future collaboration with the decisions as they work to Texas Region M Plan- meet the region’s diverse ning Group, Texas Water water needs. In addition, Development Board, the study will help in- Texas Commission on form water management Environmental Quality discussions between the and International Bound- U.S. and Mexico through ary and Water Commis- the International Bound- sion. It covered 122,400 ary Water Commission.” square miles. The study The study concludes (Above) Cameron County Irrigation District #2, Ru- cost $412,798 with the that climate change is bicon flume gate near Brownsville, Texas. Reclama- RGWRA paying for 52 tion’s basin study finds shortfall of 678,522 acre-feet likely to result in in- of water per year in 2060 due to increased demand percent. creased temperatures, and climate change. The basin study was decreased precipitation conducted as part of Wa- and increased evapotranspiration in the study area. terSMART. WaterSMART is the U.S. Department of As a result of climate change, a projected 86,438 the Interior’s sustainable water initiative that uses the acre-feet of water per year will need to be added to best available science to improve water conservation the 592,084 acre-feet per year of supply shortfall and help water resource managers identify strategies predicted in the existing regional planning process in to narrow the gap between supply and demand. 2060, for a total shortfall of 678,522. Basin studies are comprehensive water studies that Water supply imbalances exacerbated by climate define options for meeting future water demands change will greatly reduce the reliability of deliver- in river basins in the western United States where ies to users dependent on irrigation. imbalances in water supply and demand exist or are The study includes an acknowledgment that all projected to exist. Since the program’s establishment, water management strategies recommended through 19 basins have been selected to be evaluated. the recently adopted regional water plan are part of a For more information see www.usbr.gov/WaterS- needed portfolio of solutions. MART/bsp.

page 25 Great Plains 2013 Photo Contest

The 2013 GP Photo Contest produced the most photo entries for the contest to date, with 117 images submitted showing the diverse activities, facilities, people, and wildlife in the Great Plains Region. Nearly 150 votes were cast for more than 40 assorted photos, but top honors go to three photographers and their great images.

Jeff Ticknor, Civil Engineer (GPRO), wins first place with his photo of the Olympus Dam, located in Estes Park, Colo. Gary Valasek, Construction Control Inspector (GPRO), earns second place with his scenic photo of Cemetery Island on Canyon Ferry Reservoir, Mont. Michael Mangum, Electrician (WYAO), takes third place with his photo of Seminoe Dam on a rare, windless day.

Keep an eye out for all photo contest images in a variety of Reclamation publications, including the 2013 GP Region Calendar, Plains Talk Magazine, presentations and in our multimedia gallery on the Internet at www.usbr.gov/gp/multimedia.

Thank you photographers for the great images! And thank you everyone who took the time to view the photos and vote for their favorite.

GP, NKAO, and NE Dept of Roads the Enders Dam Spillway Bridge.

Looking downstream from within the Gibson Dam Spillway Tunnel. Inspection of Choke Canyon Dam Stilling Basin. 1st Place (Above) Olympus Dam, located in Estes Park Colo., normally utilizes one of the five spill- way radial gates to make releases to the Big Thompson River (photo by Jeff Ticknor).

A mother duck with her three duck- lings at Jamestown Dam. Cemetery Island shoreline A day of ice fishing on Canyon stabilization equipment barge. Ferry near Silos Campground. 2nd Place

Cemetery Island on Canyon Ferry Reservoir, Mont., viewed from the north (photo by Gary Valasek).

Snake Creek Pumping Plant, Lake Armstead Island in Clark Canyon Kortes Dam Spillway in operation. Sakakawea, North Dakota. Reservoir.

(Background image) Sunset over the Rosebud Indian Reservation during the 2013 Periodic Security Review (photo by Joe Rohde). Sunrise at the Canyon Ferry Bighorn Reservoir and Ok-A-Beh Field Office. Marina just upstream from Yel-

A pelican soars over Canyon Ferry Reservoir near Silos campground. 3rd Place

(Below) A rare no wind day at Seminoe Dam (photo by Michael Mangum). Engineer of the Year

eatGr For the Plains Region

David Scanson, left, receives the 2013 Great Plains Engineer of the Year Award from Regional Direc- tor Mike Ryan. Scanson will go on to compete for the Reclamation-wide Engineer of the Year award.

David Scanson, Regional Safety property, and the environment. an evaluation and risk analysis of Dams Coordinator, has been Reclamation owns 77 high or sig- are performed to determine if the awarded the 2013 Great Plains nificant hazard dams in the Great risks justify corrective action. If Engineer of the Year Award. Scan- Plains Region and continually deemed necessary, a Corrective son is now a nominee for the 2013 assesses the risks posed by each Action Study is conducted to iden- Reclamation Engineer of the Year of these dams. Risks are mitigated tify a preferred alternative. Design Award. when they exceed Reclamation’s and construction commence after Scanson serves as the Regional Public Protection Guidelines, a Modification Report is approved Safety of Dams Coordinator at the subject to funding availability by Congress. Total project costs Great Plains Regional Office, Bill- and prioritization against other for a Corrective Action Study and ings, Mont. He helps ensure that known risks at dams within all subsequent modification ranges Reclamation dams do not pres- of Reclamation. When a risk or from $15-65 million. ent unreasonable risk to people, potential risk is first identified, page 30 page 31 Reclamation’s Mission: The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.