Weber Dam and Walker River Indian Irrigation Project Update

June 14, 2023

Schurz, NV - An inspection of Weber Dam done by Bureau of Reclamation engineers in May 2023 revealed open and offset joints between the Dam’s service spillway slabs and sediment in the service spillway drains, early indications the soil under the service spillway chute may be experiencing erosion. Due to the expected magnitude and duration of the record spring runoff flows, now projected to last several more weeks, additional erosion of the service spillway chute foundation could occur. If erosion becomes severe, the service spillway chute is at risk of breaking apart.

Operating Status of Weber Dam and Walker River Indian Irrigation Project: The Dam facility is serving as a passthrough with water flowing into Weber Reservoir approximately equal to water flowing out of it, feeding the Walker River and the two Walker River Indian Irrigation Project canals. Monitoring to date has not detected any movement of the service spillway slabs. Erosion of the Walker River riverbanks is occurring downriver from the Dam; however, the two canal channels of the Walker River Indian Irrigation Project and the 49 miles of lateral irrigation lines are functioning properly and are secure. While there are several fields that have flooded because the Walker River is overflowing its banks, no water from BIA’s irrigation canals have left the canal system. BIA has brought in an additional Irrigation System Operator to assist local specialists working around the clock to ensure canal banks remain stable and to continue the safe operation of the irrigation project.

Responsive Safety Actions at Weber Dam: Out of an abundance of caution, engineers and scientists from BIA’s Safety of Dam’s Program are taking proactive measures to provide for public safety and to protect the structural integrity of the facility. These actions include:

Proactively mobilizing rock riprap, gravel, and construction equipment that may be needed if additional work becomes necessary to slow erosion of the service spillway chute foundation. BIA is in the contracting process to acquire equipment and supplies which should arrive sometime mid-to-late June.
Proactively removing the Dam’s fuse plug, a rock embankment feature of the emergency spillway that is intended to wash out in a predictable manner to lower the water elevation of the reservoir should it exceed its holding capacity. Removing the fuse plug should minimize downstream flows in the event the service spillway breaks apart and becomes unusable.

Emergency Action Planning: BIA is proactively working with federal, state, and tribal partners to prepare downstream communities. In the event an emergency occurs, your local emergency responders will issue an alert through their local notification system.

Walker River Reservation: To receive alerts, call the Tribal Administration Building at: 775-773-2306 or email itsupport@wrpt.org and provide your name, email, and phone number.

Area and Road Closures: Weber Reservoir is closed to all recreational use, and all roads leading to Weber Dam are closed to public use.

Safety Concerns: Construction equipment will be accessing Weber Dam starting mid-June to begin removing the fuse plug and to pre-position rock and riprap material should it become necessary to use. For the safety of the public and to provide full access to workers and equipment using the dirt roads, please obey road closure signs and stay off and away from roads in the vicinity.

Response Levels: On May 17th, at the recommendation of the dam engineers, the BIA Superintendent, Western Nevada Agency in Carson City, declared a Response Level 1 at Weber Dam. The BIA Safety of Dams Program uses Response Levels to communicate the severity of an incident occurring at a dam. There are three response levels:

Level 1 indicates an unusual situation at a dam that triggers increased levels of monitoring.
Level 2 indicates a developing situation in which there are immediate or inevitable adverse impacts to a dam, or the integrity of a dam cannot be verified.
Level 3 indicates that a dam failure is imminent, is occurring, or has occurred.

**Weber Dam Response Levels**
Response Level	Activity at Dam to Trigger Response Level Activation	BIA Response Activities	Community Action
Level 1 (Ready) Indicates an unusual situation that triggers increased levels of monitoring.	An inspection of the Dam in May 2023 revealed open and offset joints between the Dam’s service spillway slabs and sediment in the service spillway drains, early indications the soil under the service spillway chute may be experiencing erosion.	Conduct 24/7 monitoring services of the facility. Mobilize rock riprap, gravel, and construction equipment to the Dam. Proactively remove Weber Dam’s fuse plug.	Know your flood risk. Take a household inventory of valuables. Store important documents. Pay attention to authorities and safety officials and where to find official information.
Level 2 (Set) Indicates a developing situation where immediate or inevitable adverse impacts to a dam, or the integrity of the dam cannot be verified.	Prolonged erosion of the service spillway chute foundation results in visible movement of a service spillway slab. Or another rapidly developing situation.	Conduct 24/7 monitoring services of the facility. Place rock riprap, gravel and other materials on the service spillway chute in an attempt to stop the erosion.	Make a plan – www.ready.gov/plan Build an emergency kit to have if you need to evacuate quickly. Ensure you receive emergency alerts through your local emergency notification system.
Level 3 (Go) Indicates a dam failure is imminent, is occurring, or has occurred.	Service spillway chute breaks apart and is unusable. Or another imminent situation.	Closure of the service spillway gates, causing water to flow through the emergency spillway.	Evacuate Immediately! Implement all preparedness plans.