en.Wedoany.com Reported - Valley Water has awarded a $1.88 billion construction contract for the Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project, marking the next phase of the dam's reconstruction in Santa Clara County, California.

The Valley Water Board of Directors awarded the contract to the Flatiron Dragados Sukut ADSRP Joint Venture on July 24. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2027 and is expected to take approximately seven years.

The project involves rebuilding most of the dam and spillway structures, installing new outlet pipes, and completing a series of safety upgrades. Upon completion, Anderson Reservoir will be restored to full operational capacity, thereby improving water supply reliability, supporting groundwater recharge, reducing flood risk, and restoring recreational functions along the reservoir and the Coyote Creek corridor.

Anderson Reservoir, built in 1950, is the largest of Valley Water's 10 reservoirs.

Valley Water Board Chair Tony Estremera stated that rebuilding Anderson Dam is the agency's top priority and noted that this milestone reflects years of hard work, collaboration, and perseverance by staff, contractors, regulators, and community partners, marking a new phase for one of Santa Clara County's most important water infrastructure projects that will benefit future generations.

The total estimated cost of the Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project is approximately $2.8 billion, making it one of the largest infrastructure projects ever undertaken by Valley Water.

Since 2023, the agency has secured more than $114 million in state and federal grants for critical water infrastructure projects in Santa Clara County. Valley Water stated it will continue to seek additional state and federal funding for the Anderson Dam project to mitigate impacts on water rates.

The contract award followed years of planning, engineering design, environmental review, and regulatory approvals. Valley Water noted that most of the supporting projects required to prepare the site and meet regulatory requirements are now complete, including the Anderson Dam Tunnel Project. That project is in its final phase and is expected to be completed later this year. The tunnel project will replace the dam's existing 4-foot-diameter outlet pipe with a new 13-foot-diameter outlet tunnel, enabling larger controlled releases to Coyote Creek during construction and improving reservoir management during future storms and emergencies. The new tunnel is expected to be operational this winter. The agency anticipates completing all five supporting projects before construction of the new dam begins, allowing Anderson Reservoir to remain safely empty during the seismic retrofit.