Highlights (last 30 days)

The Final Dam Safety Modification Report (DSMR), Record of Decision (ROD) and supporting documentation were approved at the Corps of Engineers Headquarters on 18 December 2012.

Independent External Peer Review (IEPR) was concluded and findings were posted on the project web page as "USACE Response to Independent External Peer Review".

Final Dam Safety Modification Report forwarded to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (ASA(CW)) for use in budget preparation.

Coordination efforts continue with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) on real estate and recreation actions. The Sacramento District is continuing coordination efforts at all levels of the organization.

The Dam Safety Modification Project has officially transitioned into the design phase and the team has begun work on several key exploration contracts anticipated to be awarded early in the new year.

The district released an informational video about the planned project at Lake Isabella, detailing the reasons for the work and the construction plan. The video can be found by clicking the image below:

Looking Ahead (next 30 days)
Preparation of key exploration contracts for the embankment and spillway work.

Continued surveying and geotechnical investigations will be conducted at the project site.

Coordination of oversight agreement for design of Caltrans Highway relocation work.

Current Lake Status (27 December)
The current pool resides at 84,143 acre‐ft, an elevation of 2542.53 feet (IPD) or 2546.29 (NAVD 88)which is 23% of the restricted pool. As part of our interim risk reduction measures, Isabella Lake has a restricted elevation of 2585.5 feet (361,250 acre‐ft).