Stampede and Boca Dams and Reservoirs Construction Updates
Stampede Dam and Reservoir
Originally constructed in 1970, Stampede Reservoir is in Sierra County and is the northernmost reservoir of the two dams. The dam blocks the Little Truckee River and is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation. Due to safety concerns, and to address possible overflowing issues should a large flood event occur, contracts were let to bolster both dams.
In May 2016, a contract was awarded to NW Construction of Bozeman, Montana for 21.8 million to raise Stampede Dam by 11.5 feet to address these dam safety concerns. Construction began in September 2016 and was completed in 2018. Note that the photos show the new height increase in the dam.
Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are those of the Editor, Heidi Sproat.
Originally constructed in 1970, Stampede Reservoir is in Sierra County and is the northernmost reservoir of the two dams. The dam blocks the Little Truckee River and is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation. Due to safety concerns, and to address possible overflowing issues should a large flood event occur, contracts were let to bolster both dams.
In May 2016, a contract was awarded to NW Construction of Bozeman, Montana for 21.8 million to raise Stampede Dam by 11.5 feet to address these dam safety concerns. Construction began in September 2016 and was completed in 2018. Note that the photos show the new height increase in the dam.
Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are those of the Editor, Heidi Sproat.
Boca Dam and Reservoir
While the road over Boca Dam is closed due to this construction, a drive up Stampede Meadows Road is worth the trip to see the efforts underway. Boca water levels are presently down almost 30 feet lower than the maximum water levels to permit earth moving and construction. More details are available at the Bureau of Reclamation’s site. If you get a chance to drive or ride down this road, you will be amazed at the earth-moving efforts. Connection to Donner Ridge Fire – Stampede Reservoir As a bonus for a trip out to see the two dams and reservoirs, if you drive OVER the new Stampede Dam Road, and immediately turn right into the small picnic area just west of the bridge, you will see a short walkway out closer to the water. At the end of that walkway was a sign I had never seen before. Though rusted, fading, and peeled, it nonetheless recounts the catastrophic August 1960 Donner Ridge Fire. The undated Tahoe National Forest sign reads: “On August 20, 1960, the Donner Ridge Fire started from a two-day old burn pile, left unattended on private land near Donner Lake. With the help of hot dry weather and 60 to 70 mile per hour winds, fire escaped from the burn pile and raced uphill towards Donner Ridge, then northeast through private and National Forest lands. By the time the fire stopped, 8 days later, it had consumed 44,812 acres – an area almost half the size of Lake Tahoe! Watershed and recreation areas were among the resources greatly damaged. Wildlife habitat was destroyed and many animals were killed by the fire. More than 200,000 mature trees were also destroyed – enough wood to build 10,000 houses!” If you never read the first article in our December 2015 Echoes From the Past newsletter about the Donner Ridge Fire, do take some time to review both it and the Supplemental Content which is eye-opening. |
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