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Show Construction Activities Blue Mesa Dam Work is rapidly drawing to a close at the Blue Mesa Dam and powerplant. The 390-foot-high Blue Mesa Dam is completed. Work is nearly finished under the completion contract providing for installation of turbines, generators, and other electrical equipment in the powerplant and construction of the switchyard. The first generator produced energy on September 13, 1967 and the second should follow in three months. AAorrow Point Dam Completion ceremonies were held at Morrow Point Dam on September 14, 1967, when the last bucket of concrete was placed in the 365,000-cubic yard structure. Construction on the dam commenced in 1963. Morrow Point Dam received special mention by the National Society of Professional Engineers in its selection of the outstanding engineering achievements of 1966. The double curvature of this 465-foot-high, thin-arch dam and the underground powerplant being constructed adjacent to it were cited in particular. Nearly 97 percent of the work has been completed under the prime contract for Morrow Point Dam and powerplant. In addition to near completion of the dam, the underground powerplant chamber has been excavated, reinforced concrete walls and steel ceiling completed, and installation of lighting fixtures is underway. The power-plant overhead crane has been installed and utilized in final construction activities. A Japanese firm, Mitsui and Company, has completed fabrication of the two 83,000-HP, 180 RPM, vertical shaft hydraulic turbines for the powerplant. This firm was also the successful bidder for constructing the two 66,667-kva generators for the powerplant. About 35 percent of the fabrication work has been accomplished on the generators. The powerplant completion contract has been scheduled for award during fiscal year 1968. The powerplant is expected to be in operation late in calendar year 1969. Crystal Dam Crystal Damsite, downstream from Morrow Point Dam and immediately above the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument, is the site of the third and final dam of the Curecanti storage unit. A 6.5-mile access road was completed to the damsite in November 1965. Designs are being prepared for a 219-foot high earth- and rock-fill-structure for this site. Completion of Crystal Dam, now scheduled in 1973, will release Morrow Point Reservoir from the obligation of meeting the schedule for the diversion of irrigation water 101 |