Bureau of Reclamation

Palisades Dam just received a major upgrade. The original hollow jet valves from the 1950s have been replaced with modern, 90-inch, jet flow gates. These new gates are remotely operated, giving teams more precise control, improved reliability, and safer, more efficient dam operations. #Reclamation 📹: Water flows through the newly installed 90-inch jet flow gates at Palisades Dam, showing the upgraded outlet in operation.

4/5: Shasta Dam Shasta Dam is California's largest reservoir, and it served an important role in World War II providing electricity to factories. Its reservoir can hold enough water to cover the entire state of Rhode Island in about a foot of water. American engineering on a very large scale.

From iconic dams to communities across the West, the Bureau of Reclamation celebrated the Fourth of July. Reclamation joined communities across the West in honoring 250 years of American independence with patriotic displays at our facilities. #Freedom250 #Reclamation 📹 Video showcasing patriotic celebrations at Bureau of Reclamation facilities across the West at Hoover Dam, Glen Canyon Dam, Morrow Point Dam, Shasta Dam, Elephant Butte Dam and the Grand Coulee Dam fireworks celebration in honor of 250 years of American independence.

Happy Fourth of July from the Bureau of Reclamation! As the nation celebrates 250 years of independence, we honor the communities we serve and the public servants helping deliver reliable water and power across the West. From iconic dams to local reservoirs, Reclamation infrastructure helps support communities every day. We remain proud to serve the American people. #Reclamation #Freedom250 📹: Video of a Fourth of July fireworks and laser light show over Grand Coulee Dam.

A symbol of celebration is rising over Shasta Dam! 🇺🇸 Recently, crews installed two large 20-by-30-foot American flags on the towers at Shasta Dam, setting the stage for this weekend’s Freedom250 festivities. The massive flags will stand as proud beacons overlooking the dam as we come together today and tomorrow to honor community, history and the spirit of America’s 250th birthday. 📸 1: Maintenance workers at the Northern California Area Office install one of two large flags on a maintenance tower at Shasta Dam. 📸 2: Each tower at Shasta Dam now displays a 20-by-30-foot American flag. #Freedom250 #Reclamation

American flags now proudly line Dickinson Dam in honor of the Fourth of July and the upcoming celebration of America’s 250th birthday. For more than 75 years, Dickinson Dam has served western North Dakota by providing water for communities and irrigation while also offering outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities. Whether you enjoy camping, fishing, boating, hiking, playing disc golf or simply taking in the view, there is something for everyone. If you are in the area this holiday weekend, stop by to experience the patriotic display and see all Dickinson Dam has to offer. 📸: American flags displayed at Dickinson Dam in honor of Independence Day and the upcoming celebration of America’s 250th birthday

Today, the @afthunderbirds, in partnership with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, delivered a breathtaking flyover above Hoover Dam. Flying in their signature six-jet delta formation, the red, white and blue F-16 Fighting Falcons passed over the iconic dam and towering American flag in a powerful tribute to service, precision and America’s 250th birthday. #Freedom250 #Reclamation 📸 The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds soar above Hoover Dam as a towering American flag hangs from the dam’s downstream face during a patriotic flyover on June 30, 2026. Vernon Cunningham/DOI @usairforce

Recently, Bureau of Reclamation crews completed an important maintenance operation atop Shasta Dam using the historic gantry crane, which has been in service since 1943. The crane safely positioned a man basket, allowing personnel to access the coaster gate slot for Shasta Powerplant Unit 4—an area that requires specialized equipment to reach. During the inspection, crews removed obsolete structural brackets that could have interfered with the hydraulic tubing used to operate the coaster gate. Eliminating these potential obstructions helps ensure the gate can cycle smoothly and reliably for years to come. This behind-the-scenes maintenance plays a vital role in preserving the safety, reliability, and long-term performance of Shasta Dam, helping support water delivery, hydroelectric power generation, and downstream resource management throughout the region. 📷 1: Workers are moved into position using the Gantry Crane. 📷 2: Reclamation crane operator uses controls while carefully lowering the man basket into place. 📷 3: A view of the Gantry Crane in operation on the top of Shasta Dam. 📷 4: A sign on the Gantry Crane describes when it was originally put into service..

As we head into the Fourth of July week and commemorate 250 years of our nation’s history, we celebrate the innovation and dedication that have shaped the United States. Bureau of Reclamation projects continue to stand as shining examples of what America can achieve. We are proud to serve the people of the United States every day by carrying out our mission to manage, develop and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner for the benefit of the American public. 📸: A group of men with harnesses and rappelling gear pose beneath a giant America Flag on the face of the Hoover Dam. Photo by Adam Northrup, Bureau of Reclamation Rope Access Team.

National Camping Month may be winding down, but there’s still time to get outside and make memories! ⛺ Whether you're looking for a peaceful lakeside campsite, stunning scenic views, or a weekend adventure with family and friends, Bureau of Reclamation recreation areas offer incredible opportunities to explore the outdoors. Before the month ends, pack your gear, unplug for a while, and discover one of the many beautiful Reclamation destinations near you. Your next adventure is waiting! #NationalCampingMonth #Reclamation 📸1: Dakotas Deputy Area Manager Scott Hettinger and his family spend every Father's Day weekend camping at Deerfield Reservoir in Sound Dakota. 📸2: Dakotas Deputy Area Manager Scott Hettinger and Zeus hiking around Deerfield Reservoir. 📸3: Campers enjoying the East Portal Campground near Rocky Mountain Nation Park. 📸4: Find your perfect campsite under the trees. The East Portal Campground is the perfect place to unplug, relax, and reconnect with nature.

Specialists from the Bureau of Reclamation’s Technical Service Center recently conducted a Comprehensive Review civil examination of Prosser Creek Dam in Nevada County, Calif. This in‑depth inspection is performed every eight years on all high‑hazard facilities. The team examined the spillway and then descended more than 120 feet inside the dam to inspect critical mechanical systems. From checking packing glands to evaluating the overall condition of the structure, these detailed reviews help engineers catch potential issues early and ensure the dam continues to operate safely and reliably. Inspections like this are essential to protecting our infrastructure, our communities, and our water resources.

On this day in history, June 25, 1942, the U.S. government awarded the construction contract for Davis Dam and its powerhouse to the Utah Construction Company. Work began soon after with a new railhead near Kingman, Arizona, but progress was halted when World War II shifted national priorities. The War Production Board paused the project to redirect critical materials to the war effort. Construction resumed in 1946, and Davis Dam was completed in 1951. Today the dam stands in Pyramid Canyon on the Colorado River, about 67 miles downstream from Hoover Dam. It remains a lasting example of resilience, engineering achievement and the nation’s ability to adapt through times of challenge. 📸 1: Black and white photo of Davis Dam spillway 📸 2: Color photo of the Davis Dam Facility with a boat downstream

The Bureau of Reclamation’s Landslide Surveillance Program employs specialized field crews to monitor landslides to help predict their future movement. Most landslides on Reclamation land are examined on an annual basis to monitor how much movement, if any, occurred. After unusual events like extreme precipitation, earthquakes, fires, or rapid drawdown of reservoirs, crews will head out to conduct special examinations of the site. Bi-annual surveys of the area near Vega Reservoir, Colorado require a strenuous but beautiful roundtrip hike of over two miles at an elevation of over 8,000 feet in altitude while carrying survey equipment. But the abundant wildlife and amazing views of the Grand Mesa make the assignment special. 📸1: Vega Reservoir and Dam through the viewfinder of the total station. Photo by Allen Giger, USBR. 📸2: A bear stands in shallow water with decaying trees in the background near Vega reservoir. Photo by Allen Giger, USBR.

Today, in recognition of International Women in Engineering Day, we’re celebrating the many women engineers at the Bureau of Reclamation’s Technical Services Center whose expertise helps advance our mission across the West. From dam safety and hydropower to pipeline design and water infrastructure, these engineers help design, maintain and improve the systems that deliver water and power to millions every day. Their innovation, leadership and technical expertise help build a stronger, more resilient future. 💧⚡ #WomenInEngineering #INWED26 #Reclamation 📸1: Kylie Pelzer, Bureau of Reclamation Technical Services Center civil engineer, poses inside a pipeline during field work. 📸2: Catherine Hoffman, Bureau of Reclamation’s Technical Services Center civil engineer, prepares and analyzes samples in a laboratory. 📸3: Vivian Rosas, Bureau of Reclamation’s Technical Services Center geophysicist and seismologist, conducts fieldwork at a remote seismic monitoring site. 📸4: Ellen A. Lamont, Bureau of Reclamation Technical Services Center geologist, examines geologic layers in a trench during fieldwork.

Happy Father’s Day from the Bureau of Reclamation! Today, we’re celebrating all the dads and father figures who keep us laughing with legendary dad jokes, endless wisdom and unwavering support. Thank you for everything you do and for the jokes we pretend not to love. Happy Father’s Day! 💙 📹: A compilation video of different men sharing their favorite dad jokes. Each man takes a turn delivering a quick, family‑friendly one‑liner.

🚗🦦 Otto Otter’s #Freedom250 road trip continues with a visit to Shasta Dam in California, where construction was completed in 1945—22 months ahead of schedule. Standing 602 feet tall, Shasta Dam is one of the tallest in the United States and forms Shasta Lake—the largest reservoir in California. Nearly eight decades later, Shasta Dam remains a cornerstone of water and power delivery in the West. Built during World War II, it continues to meet critical energy demands—and continues to generate hydropower that supports homes, businesses, and communities today. ⚡#EnergyDominance #Freedom250 #OttoOtter

The Roosevelt Dam and its hydroelectric powerplant played a significant role in Arizona’s development in the early 1900s. As part of the federal government’s Salt River Project, it helped irrigate farmland and introduced electricity to many homes for the first time. During the dam’s 1911 dedication, President Roosevelt spoke about the 1902 Reclamation Act and its importance to his administration. As we approach the Bureau of Reclamation’s 125th anniversary next June, these moments remind us of the agency’s long-standing role in supporting communities across the West. 📸: An aerial view of Theodore Roosevelt Dam holding back Roosevelt Lake, with the Theodore Roosevelt Lake Bridge visible just behind the dam. The surrounding landscape shows the contrast between the water and the desert terrain.

Real-time water quality dashboard for Lake Powell coming soon. Civil Engineers from the Bureau of Reclamation’s Upper Colorado Basin Region are leading an innovative WaterSMART project to install a floating water quality monitoring platform in Glen Canyon Dam’s forebay. The $400,000 project will collect real-time data on temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and chlorophyll at depths ranging from 0 to 100 meters multiple times each day. Previously, measurements were collected only once a month. This advancement will improve monitoring for potential algal blooms and provide better estimates of the quality of water released from Glen Canyon Dam. Stakeholders will soon be able to access the data through a public dashboard. Stay tuned as the project moves from planning to installation this fall. 📸: The upstream face of Glen Canyon Dam with water in the foreground.

For 124 years, the Bureau of Reclamation has helped deliver water and power across the West, shaping communities, agriculture and infrastructure. As Reclamation prepares to celebrate its 125th anniversary, we reflect on a legacy built on resilience, innovation and determination. This collection of historic films highlights the people and projects that took on complex engineering challenges and helped create new opportunities across the American West. ow.ly/jMYP50Zc4pK

Partnerships powering reliable water for agricultural communities and healthier ecosystems. Last week, the Bureau of Reclamation joined @DucksUnlimited, @USFWS, state agencies, water districts, and local partners to celebrate the upgraded pump and lift station at Sutter National Wildlife Refuge. This project strengthens our shared ability to deliver dependable water supplies to the refuge—advancing the collaborative stewardship that supports wetlands, migratory birds, and surrounding agricultural communities across the Sacramento Valley. More than an infrastructure upgrade, the event highlighted the resilience and partnership that keep water flowing. Check out our photos at: ow.ly/2gQm50Zc30M @NCWATweets 📷 1: From left to right: Wade Crowfoot, Secretary, California Natural Resources Agency Ed Young, Deputy Regional Director, California-Great Basin Region, Bureau of Reclamation Paul Souza, Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Jeff McCreary, Director of Western Region Operations, Ducks Unlimited and David J. Guy, President of the Northern California Water Association. 📷 2: Ed Young, Deputy Regional Director, California-Great Basin Region address the crowd at the at Sutter National Wildlife Refuge. 📷 3: Newly upgraded pump and lift station at Sutter National Wildlife Refuge.