Crews working on Wolf Creek Dam hit a major milestone this week, removing the first of its massive spillway gates, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
This is part of the modernization of the dam’s infrastructure, replacing all 10 original tainter gates and lifting equipment that have been continuously operating since 1952.
Each spillway tainter gate is 37-feet high by 50-feet wide.
The corps said the public will not experience significant drawdowns of the lake elevation. The most notable change levels during the construction period may be a lower peak summer pool from 723 feet to closer to 720 feet.
As a safety measure, the contractor is limited to three inoperable gates at any period of time, always leaving seven operable gates.
Replacement of gates will only occur between June and November each year, which is considered the dry season, targeting lower peak summer lake elevations.
