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Davis Dam to shoulder some of Hoover's power load on Sunday
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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Easter Sunday could see the rise and fall of the Colorado River in the Laughlin area, as Davis Dam ramps up its generators to shoulder some of Hoover Dam's power load.
The power plant at Hoover usually serves as a backup source to meet peak energy demands throughout the Southwest, but Davis Dam, 67 miles downstream, will take on that role from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to allow for survey work associated with the Hoover Dam bypass bridge project.
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation spokesman Bob Walsh said the river could rise and fall 2 to 4 feet through the Laughlin area should Davis Dam need to release additional water for power generation.
Boaters below Davis Dam are urged to be on the lookout for sudden changes in the river's flow.
The move will allow reclamation officials to collect depth and other measurements in the river channel below Hoover Dam.
The survey work is needed to determine whether rock excavated during construction of the new Hoover Dam bypass bridge has raised the level of the river enough to affect the dam's power generation.
"As you back water against the generating units, you reduce their efficiency," Walsh explained.
Gathering the necessary measurements requires a steady, unvaried flow from the dam, which means Hoover will not be able to pump additional water through its generators to make more power for several hours on Sunday .
If the survey work shows an unacceptable buildup of rocks and debris in the river channel, the bridge contractor will be required to remove it, Walsh said.
The bypass bridge is slated to open by Nov. 1.
Contact reporter Henry Brean at hbrean@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0350.
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Yeah, let's pick a holiday to get all the engineers and crews out to do a survey on a civil project. How much more is this costing the taxpayers? Not to mention the increased number of people on the lakes over a holiday weekend.
".. Hoover will not be able to pump additional water through its generators to make more power for several hours on Sunday."
HUH? Pump? Does the author have *ANY* idea how the dam works?
I'm sure when there's high winds they're smart enough to make the trucks go thru laughlin. They're used to it by now.
Guess will never know. Maybe it'll be a mystery to the ages like the rumors of people buried alive during construction of the dam. Actually cant wait for the bridge to open, i am so tired of driving into/out of Laughlin/Bullhead to/from Phoenix everyday. Was really surprised that they say that it will NOT be a tollbridge. My only concern is that bridge looks awfully high and I know how the winds kick up in this canyon and down the river, be reading in future editions of LVRJ of high profile vehicles blowing off the bridge plummeting to their peril below.
Is it a secret? or will you share your knowledge?