Peace Garden News

Senator John Hoeven, alongside officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, reviewed a significant safety project for the Garrison Dam spillway in Garrison, North Dakota. The $1.8 billion initiative aims to maintain the dam's integrity and address potential long-term issues that could lead to uncontrolled water releases.

The Garrison Dam is a critical structure on the Missouri River, with Lake Sakakawea being its largest reservoir by volume. The modifications are deemed necessary following record flows during the 2011 flood, which highlighted potential safety concerns. A study recommended replacing the spillway's drainage system and reinforcing it with concrete overlays.

Currently in the Preconstruction Engineering and Design (PED) phase since 2023, this stage involves six years of field investigations before construction begins in 2029. Senator Hoeven has secured nearly $13 million for the design phase and included an additional $32 million in funding for Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations.

Hoeven emphasized the importance of these infrastructures: “The Garrison Dam, along with the Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon reservoirs, are critical infrastructure for our state, helping ensure a reliable water supply for communities and agriculture, while supporting recreation and tourism. At the same time, a key function of the dam is to control Missouri River water levels, providing certainty to the region and protecting against the risk of flooding.”

He further noted that "the historic water flows during the 2011 flood revealed that the spillway needs modifications to ensure the dam’s long-term integrity."