Granite Construction wins dam removal contract from California American Water

US-based infrastructure contractors and construction materials producer Granite Construction has secured a dam removal contract from California American Water.

The value of the Carmel River Reroute and San Clemente Dam Removal (CRRDR) contract is $61m.

Located in Monterey County, California, US, the CRRDR project is part of an effort to improve public safety issues associated with the existing San Clemente Dam and improve access for steelhead to upstream spawning and rearing habitat.

The project also involves transporting sediment to the lower river bed and Carmel River beach, and ecological continuity of aquatic and riparian habitats.

Granite Construction president and chief executive officer James H Roberts said, "We’re proud to have been selected for this innovative project, which solves a safety issue for the community and benefits the Carmel River and its wildlife."

The dam removal project will involve rerouting 3,000ft of the Carmel River into the San Clemente Creek.

Under the contract, Granite will remove the San Clemente and Old Carmel River Dams and build a new combined flow reach and reroute channel.

The current dam location will be restored with a focus on steelhead trout passage and upland habitat restoration.

Granite is expected to begin construction work in July 2013, and the entire project is anticipated to take about 28 months to complete.

California American Water is a subsidiary of water and wastewater utility company American Water.

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Image: The Carmel River in California, US. Photo: Courtesy of David.c.stone.