In the News: Ice Harbor Lock and Dam honored as Infrastructure Project of the Year

Recognized for its innovation in hydroelectric efficiency and improved fish survival, the Ice Harbor Lock and Dam has been named the Infrastructure Project of the Year by the American Shotcrete Association.

In 2016, the Army Corps of Engineers coordinated with Voith Hydro to develop two new turbine designs. The updated designs prioritize fish passage and reduce oil leaks in the Snake River.

The ongoing installation of these turbines marks a significant milestone in the Bonneville Power Administration's Large Capital Program. The program, coordinated alongside the Corps and the Bureau of Reclamation, focuses on maintaining and modernizing the hydropower assets across the Federal Columbia River Power System. The program allows the three federal agencies to collaboratively develop an all-encompassing asset plan for the FCRPS to determine optimal timing for hydropower maintenance and improvement projects.

“We align that with our customers to ensure we are making the right investments to keep our power system reliable and efficient," BPA supervisory general engineer Doug Komoroski said. Out of a few hundred ongoing Large Capital Program projects, the modernization project at Ice Harbor is one of its largest.

“The project's value to generation for the Snake River dams is enormous," BPA generation asset management deputy vice president Birgit Koehler said. “It's a crucial source of generation to supply reliable power, meet peak load demands and support the transmission grid into the Tri-Cities."