AMERICAN FORK CANYON — Work on the Silver Lake Flat Dam is underway.
The dam does not meet current safety regulations, so improvements are being made to restore design storage capacity in the reservoir.
This will be done by raising the water level, enlarging the spillway and providing slope stability for seismic events, which should extend the life of the dam for 71 years.
Construction on the Silver Lake Flat Road began Monday. Silver Lake Flat Reservoir will be empty until rehabilitation work is completed. Fish in the reservoir are being relocated downstream. The Silver Lake Flat summer home permittees will be allowed access, but should expect delays when traveling on the Silver Lake Flat road.
Hours of operation are Monday-Saturday 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. There will be delays on the road throughout the hours of operations, with the heaviest construction traffic and major delays being Monday – Fridays 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Rehabilitation of the dam will begin Monday, July 20, and completion of the construction is November 2015, weather permitting.
The Silver Lake Trailhead will remain open as well as the Silver Lake Flat road. Visitors should expect delays coming and going due to heavy construction equipment in those areas.