The United States Bureau of Reclamation has awarded a $9,660,300 contract to Odin Construction Solutions to construct cement-bentonite cutoff walls through the foundations of Lugert and East Dikes, features of the W.C. Austin Project (Lake Altus-Lugert). The contracted work is expected to occur between October 2021 and June 2022.

Construction of the cut-off walls will address seepage areas downstream of Lugert and East Main Dikes. This work follows a previous modification at the W.C. Austin Project completed in 2018 to raise the crest elevation of all 5 dikes to reduce the potential for overtopping one or more dikes in extreme flood events, and to install filtered seepage collection systems in open drains below Lugert and East Main Dike. In combination, these modifications will improve the safety and reliability of the infrastructure ensuring continued reservoir benefits of irrigation, water supply, flood control, and recreation.

“The recent contract for the W.C. Austin Project will ensure a reliable water supply and associated benefits for Southwestern Oklahoma well into the future,” said Area Manager Mark Treviño.

The W.C. Austin Project is located on the North Fork of the Red River in southwest Oklahoma. The Project was authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act of June 28, 1938 with construction completed in 1945. The Project, which is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation, consists of Altus Dam, five earthfill dikes, and approximately 270 miles of canals and laterals. Project benefits include irrigation of approximately 48,000 acres of privately owned land; augmentation of the municipal water supply for the City of Altus; flood control benefits on the North Fork of the Red River; and recreation and fish and wildlife conservation benefits. Operation and maintenance responsibility for the Project has been transferred to the Lugert-Altus Irrigation District.

The Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978 (as amended) authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to construct modifications to Bureau of Reclamation facilities for safety concerns.

The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation’s largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR.