Big Horn Dam
Client: Lakeview Irrigation District
Big Horn Dam Big Horn Dam was constructed in 1993 and creates an upland storage reservoir for Lakeview Irrigation District (LVID) on Terrace Creek, which flows into the west side of Okanagan Lake. The dam is composed of a 168 metre-long main earthfill dam, an 85-metre-long earthfill dam and a 66 metre-wide combination concrete and rock spillway.
To accommodate future increases in water demand, the Lakeview Irrigation District retained UMA to raise the crest of Big Horn Dam by up to 3 meters, which would increase the usable storage by approximately 1,100 dam3. This project involved:
- Raising the main dam and the saddle dam
- Construction of a new access road to the left abutment of the main dam
- Modifications to the existing low-level outlet and control building
- Construction of a new spillway.
As part of the project, UMA undertook a civil and geotechnical assessment of the existing dam and saddle dam; reviewed hydrology to determine the optimum storage volume; developed tender documents and specifications and provided permitting assistance and environmental impact assessment services. Geotechnical subconsultant services were provided by Thurber Engineering Ltd.
This project was completed in September 2005.
