Calaveras Creek Dam Receives American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funding

Bexar County Flood Control Structure Work Protects Urban Area, Helps Local Economy

Temple, Texas, April 16, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $45 million is available to rehabilitate aging flood control structures nationwide. Funding is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and is part of the Obama Administration’s plans to modernize the nation’s infrastructure, jumpstart the economy and create jobs.

“There are many dams and other important flood control structures across the country that are literally in a race against time when it comes to their ability to protect people and property from flooding,” Vilsack said. “This funding is going to projects where there is the greatest risk of infrastructure failure and threat to life and property.

“These projects will not only revitalize dams, they will also revitalize rural economies by creating jobs and supporting local businesses that supply needed products and services,” Vilsack said.

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will deliver this assistance through its Watershed Rehabilitation Program and direct the funding toward the most cost-effective projects with the greatest need. In Texas, the Calaveras Creek Dam No. 6 in Bexar County near San Antonio was chosen for rehabilitation because it does not meet current safety and performance standards. Rehabilitation measures include raising the top of the dam, adding an additional principal spillway, adding an impact basin and modifying auxiliary spillways.

Calaveras Creek Dam No. 6 was originally constructed in 1956 as a high hazard dam. Due to the age of the dam, it does not meet current safety standards. If the dam was to breach, thousands of cubic yards of earth fill from the dam would move downstream, clogging stream channels and increasing flooding on roads and bridges. Residences, businesses, public facilities, and roadways would also be negatively impacted.

“This latest round of job creation funding promises to help put Bexar County families back on the path to economic success,” Congressman Henry Cuellar said. “In today’s challenging economy, these funds will create jobs right away, preserve our natural resources, and provide the reliable water infrastructure that Bexar County needs to grow and succeed.”

“It is estimated that the rehabilitation of Calaveras Creek Dam No. 6 will create jobs,” said Don Gohmert, NRCS state conservationist for Texas. “Additional jobs will be created by industries supplying or supporting construction activities and the industries that sell goods and services to these workers and their families. The influx of jobs will provide significant economic benefits for the local communities within the project area.

“But the most important thing is the lifespan of the dam will be extended another 50 years and will continue to protect lives, homes and businesses from flooding for a growing area of San Antonio,” Gohmert said.

Gohmert added that this project will also increase the demand for construction supplies and equipment, which will pump approximately $2.3 million directly into the local economy.

State and local sponsors will provide 35 percent of the funding for the project. The Calaveras Creek Dam No. 6 site sponsors are the San Antonio River Authority, Alamo Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), and Wilson County SWCD.

The rehabilitation of Calaveras Creek Dam No. 6 is authorized under the authority of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (Public Law 83-566) as amended by the Small Watershed Rehabilitation Amendments of 2000 (Section 313 of Public Law 106-472).
 

Contact

Lori Valadez, 254-742-9811

Steven Bednarz, 254-742-9871
 

< Back to 2009 News Releases