“Maintaining these water projects so they’re safe and efficient in their functions is a huge and ongoing responsibility. A failure at Ruby would cause catastrophic loss of life and property, with the impacts felt as far downstream as Canyon Ferry Reservoir.”

The DNRC, which operates Ruby Dam, began the repairs in 2010 after staff noticed the concrete on the spillway was flaking. Additionally, the dam’s outlet was undersized, and the water in the reservoir couldn’t be evacuated without stripping concrete off the inner workings.

The Montana Legislature realized the importance of repairing a “high hazard” dam – a dam that contains more than 50 acre feet of storage or if it fails will cause fatalities – and appropriated money from the state’s hydropower account, the water storage account that is dedicated to dam safety and the general fund. Ruby Valley water users also kicked in $2 million through state bonds that they will repay on their water bills.

Work began in June 2010 with the replacement and enlargement of the dam’s spillway. The new spillway can handle up to 21,000 cubic feet per second of water running over it.