By Stan Raass, Project Manager
The Hyrum Dam Spillway Replacement project is off to a strong start. The Ames Federal team in Utah has made progress in multiple work areas, including:
- Clearing and grubbing operations
- Site development including access roads
- Establishment of the laydown area and office trailer site
- Installation of temporary power for the office and future dewatering systems
- Construction of a new erosion control berm
- County road realignment and road closure, which allows inlet excavation to begin
Pile driving is expected to begin mid-July, nearly a month ahead of schedule.
Overcoming challenges
The project has its share of early technical and logistical challenges. By collaborating with the Bureau of Reclamation, Ames Federal has stayed ahead of those challenges.
From day 1, the team engaged Reclamation personnel to talk through sequencing, access logistics, and environmental concerns. These efforts have helped the project avoid missteps and streamline decisions.
An example is the identification of abandoned piezometers at the site. Rather than proceeding blindly with excavation, the team coordinated with Reclamation to review all known locations and submitted a formal plan for abandonment. As of early June, Ames was waiting for approval before moving forward, ensuring both compliance and safety.
Field discovery leads to proactive solution
An early turning point came when a buried pipe shown in the plans as 18 inches in diameter was accidentally struck and exposed by Reclamation field crews. Rather than waiting on a formal survey, the Ames team immediately stepped in.
Using field measurements, Ames personnel quickly confirmed that the pipe was 24 inches in diameter rather than 18. Recognizing the potential impact on downstream work and future tie-ins, the team flagged the discrepancy, coordinated directly with Reclamation, and initiated the change order process.
While a formal modification will follow, the most important win was the opportunity to adjust the submittal process now, updating pipe schedules, fittings, and layout details ahead of time to avoid future rework and schedule delays.
Dedicated people & crews
Behind the momentum is a dedicated team of professionals driving progress with experience, leadership, and boots-on-the-ground commitment. Here’s a look at the people making it happen:
🚧 Josh Davenport – Ames Federal Superintendent
Josh Davenport drives the success of the project’s most critical structural components. He oversees the construction of all concrete structures, cofferdam installation, the erection and installation of the radial gates, and the management of all structural crews and subcontractors.
His leadership ensures that every aspect of the structural and gate work is executed with precision and efficiency while meeting stringent Reclamation requirements. Josh’s proactive approach in planning, sequencing, and field coordination helps Ames Federal maintain a high level of quality, safety, and schedule performance.
🚧 Shane Smith – Civil Superintendent
If you’ve been on-site at Hyrum Dam, you’ve likely seen Shane Smith. He’s always moving between crews, checking progress, and making sure the next phase is teed up. His calm leadership and deep technical know-how help the team stay coordinated and focused.
Early in the project, access routes to the stilling basin had to be reconsidered due to tight clearance and grading challenges. Shane worked with survey and equipment operators to lay out a safer and more efficient haul route. This effort helped save days on the schedule without cutting corners.
🚧 Tracy Fisher & Greg Davis – Safety Personnel
Safety isn’t just a checklist at Hyrum. It’s a culture that starts with Tracy Fisher and Greg Davis. The two walk the site multiple times daily, not just to check compliance, but to talk to crew members face-to-face and build relationships.
When the county road closure was being coordinated, Tracy and Greg worked with field staff and local authorities to ensure that signage, detour paths, and site access zones were clearly marked and communicated. Their hands-on approach has helped build trust among the field team and reinforced Ames Federal’s commitment to getting the job done right without cutting safety short.
🚧 Justin Watson – Quality Control Supervisor
Justin Watson is responsible for managing quality control activities, from preparatory meetings and material checks to submittal tracking and inspections. His approach helps keep the project aligned with project specifications and audit ready.
When identifying the abandoned piezometers, Justin worked closely with Reclamation field staff to document and map each one per the plans and found that one was missing in the areas where the Reclamation crew had been working. His efforts helped ensure Ames’ plan to abandon select units would meet specifications before excavation.
🚧 Hector Lopez – Lead Construction Surveyor
Hector Lopez has been on-site since day 1, helping establish control points and layout for haul roads, staging zones, and eventually the new spillway alignment.
When the elevation of the realigned county road needed to match the existing road precisely, Hector triple-checked benchmarks and brought in the survey team to validate grade, preventing what could have been costly rework down the line. His accuracy and attention to detail are critical to keeping construction moving forward.
