What does U.S. Bureau of Reclamation do?Reclamation’s mission is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.
Here in the Pacific Northwest - beginning in 1904 - Congress authorized Reclamation to construct and manage 25 different Reclamation projects to deliver irrigation water. A project, such as the Boise Project, may have a number of dams and related facilities.
Reclamation contracts to deliver water to approximately 90 irrigation districts and canal companies in Idaho. Operation and maintenance of many Reclamation-built works have been transferred to irrigation districts. However, in Idaho, operation and maintenance of Anderson Ranch, Arrowrock, Black Canyon, Cascade, Deadwood, American Falls, Minidoka, Palisades and Ririe dams is performed by Reclamation. Irrigation districts pay a portion of the cost of operating and maintaining facilities.
Has Reclamation changed over the years? Was Reclamation “reinvented?”
Reclamation was “reinvented” as a result of the 1993 Government Performance and Results Act. Reclamation is now engaged in managing scarce water resources in the most efficient way possible. There is emphasis on water conservation, recycling, and reuse; developing partnerships with our customers, states, and tribes; finding ways to bring competing interests together to address everyone's needs; transferring title and operation of some facilities to local beneficiaries who might more efficiently operate them, and achieving a higher level of responsibility to the taxpayer.
What is the Boise Project? What is included?
The Boise Project furnishes water to about 397,000 acres. The Boise Project has 2 divisions (Arrowrock and Payette); some Reclamation facilities serve only one division, some serve both divisions. Reclamation-constructed dams include Arrowrock, Anderson Ranch, Boise Diversion, Cascade, Deadwood, Deer Flat complex, and Black Canyon. There are three powerplants. And, there are almost 2,700 miles of canals, laterals, and drains.
How much did the Boise Project cost? When was it built?
The Boise Project was first authorized in 1905. Deer Flat Dams (a complex of 3 dams) were completed by 19ll, Arrowrock Dam and Reservoir commenced storing water in 1915, Boise River Diversion Dam was completed by 1908, and Anderson Ranch Dam was completed in 1950. Deadwood Dam was completed in 1931. On the Payette River, Black Canyon Dam was completed in 1924 and Cascade Dam and Reservoir was completed in 1948.
The cost of plant, property, and equipment for the Boise Project was estimated at approximately $68.7 million, as of June 30, 1957, according to “Reclamation Repayments and Payout Schedules, 1902-1957.
What is Reclamation doing to help recover endangered fish?
Reclamation is assessing the operation of its dams - and identifying other opportunities - to improve migration and spawning and rearing habitat for endangered species to comply with the Endangered Species Act and all other obligations. Reclamation works with other federal agencies, the Pacific Northwest states, tribes, and other interests in the Northwest Power Planning Council’s Framework Plan.
What other benefits are realized by Reclamation dams?
Flood Control. Throughout Idaho, Reclamation works with other federal, state, and local agencies, as well as private entities to manage the release of water from Reclamation facilities. For instance, sufficient storage space is maintained in Anderson Ranch, Arrowrock, and Lucky Peak (on a forecast basis) to minimize the risk of exceeding flood stage through Boise of 7,000 cubic feet per second.
Hydroelectric Power. Powerplants at Reclamation Dams produce 23.8 billion kilowatt hours of electricity. This electricity is marketed by Bonneville Power.
Recreation, Fish, and Wildlife. Reclamation reservoirs provide recreation opportunities. Wildlife habitat is provided and often managed cooperatively with federal, state, or local partners.
These answers were supplied by the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation.