Grant PUD considering Wanapum Dam embankment analysis

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners will consider a proposal to hire the engineering firm Gannett Fleming to analyze the right embankment at Wanapum Dam to determine if it is at risk for erosion. If approved, the 10-year contract would cost a maximum of $15 million. “Our embankments were built well, and with the best practices of the time they were built,” said Rebecca Simpson, PUD engineering manager. Utility district engineer Logan Castle said during a presentation at the commission meeting Tuesday that the analysis would focus the embankment on the Grant County side, and would look at the potential for what Castle called internal erosion. Christine Pratt, PUD public information officer, said there is no risk to the public, but that utility district officials want to ensure the embankment remains stable. However, the construction method meant that some of the work was done in the water, what Simpson called,” in the wet,” which limited the options. Some sections of the embankment are at higher risk than others, she said...