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Windy Gap/Chimney Hollow construction ahead of schedule; valves delayed by shipment issues
Summary
Staff said the Chimney Hollow reservoir / Windy Gap interconnect is about 80–85% complete, with major embankment and spillway work largely done; valve shipment issues (customs and supplier payment disputes) delayed installation but staff expect valves by March and do not currently expect major schedule slippage.
Project staff gave the board a construction update on the Windy Gap/Chimney Hollow interconnect and related works, reporting substantial progress on multiple fronts and flagging a procurement delay for critical valves.
Staff reported the interconnect piping between Chimney Hollow and the Carter Lake system is complete and undergoing testing; the saddle dam and most spillway slabs are finished and the outlet‑tower slab is in place while vertical work on the tower continues. The presentation noted the dam reached more than 300 feet and that project lifts and embankment work are slightly ahead of schedule.
On the valve house, staff said the building is complete but the set of large valves ordered from a German manufacturer encountered problems: procurement negotiations reportedly required extra payment above contract, and U.S. customs opened crates, discovered what staff called German beetles, and the valves ultimately were returned to the manufacturer for re‑export. Staff said they expect valves to be available in March and that installation and control‑line testing will follow; they did not expect a major schedule delay if valves arrive in March but said the timeline is tight.
Staff reported a project contingency of about $76 million, with roughly 25% uncommitted (~$20 million) at present and an expectation that remaining contingency items will be committed before project completion. Staff anticipated embankment completion late spring to early summer and partial filling (at a controlled rate) by mid‑summer, with an overall completion target later in the year.
Quote: engineering/project staff explained the valve delay and customs incident, noting that the valves "literally held the delivery up and told contract guy to pay my $1,000,000 more" and that customs "found some German horned beetles" and returned the crates. (Statements reflect staff account reported in the meeting.)
Next steps: staff will continue negotiations and logistics for valve delivery and installation, coordinate with the State Engineer’s Office about initial filling, and update the board on contingency commitments and schedule as the project approaches embankment completion.
