The US Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) has completed the recoating of the outlet tubes at Glen Canyon Dam and power plant more than two months ahead of schedule and within budget. The project was funded with $8.9 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The outlets move water from Lake Powell into the Colorado River, bypassing the dam’s hydropower units. Originally coated with coal-tar in the early 1960s, the pipes were stripped and recoated with an epoxy primer and durable polysiloxane topcoat. A robotic sprayer applied the new coating, which is expected to extend the life of the infrastructure. Similar coating systems have been used at Fontana Dam in North Carolina, Pineview Dam in Utah, and Grand Coulee Dam in Washington.
“This is a smart, forward-looking infrastructure investment that will improve Colorado River water operations,” said USBRn Acting Commissioner David Palumbo. “Finishing this project ahead of schedule and on budget speaks to the quality of planning, partnership, and execution by our team and contractors.”
The maintenance is part of USBR’s long-term strategy to modernize critical water infrastructure in the western U.S.
“This project reinforces our commitment to maintaining the safety and integrity of Glen Canyon Dam while ensuring we can reliably deliver water to millions of people who depend on the Colorado River,” said Upper Colorado Basin Regional Director Wayne Pullan. “By investing in this critical maintenance, we are building resilience for the future.”
Although the outlet tubes are not used frequently – most water typically flows through the dam’s hydropower units – they are used when those units are offline and for experimental purposes. In 2024, USBR used the outlets during a cool mix flow operation to release colder water downstream and disrupt nonnative fish spawning.
The project also addressed minor cavitation damage discovered after the April 2023 high-flow experiment. While the new coating does not prevent future cavitation, USBR is implementing updated operational protocols to manage the risk.
