Isabella Dam Safety Modification Project Earns National Rehabilitation Project of the Year

The iconic Isabella Dam Safety Modification Project earns the Association of State Dam Safety Officials Award for National Rehabilitation Project of the Year.

Lake Isabella is 40 miles northeast of Bakersfield, Kern County, California. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) owns and operates the dam. In 2006, a USACE study found the dam vulnerable to three potential failure modes: overtopping, seepage and seismic damage. Water leaked at its base, and a fault line previously believed to be inactive was found to have been active within recent (5,000 years) geologic time.

Once considered the “most dangerous dam in America,” Phase II of the Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Project is now complete. Flatiron and its joint venture partners Dragados USA and Sukut Construction completed the project under budget at $323 million.

Together, we’ve achieved excellence by implementing innovative solutions to enhance dam safety and meet the highest engineering standards. Learn more: 2023 Award Safety Recipients

About ASDSO

The ASDSO envisions a future where all dams are safe. Their mission is to improve the condition and safety of dams and lower the risk of dam failures through education, support for state dam safety programs, and fostering a unified dam safety community.

About the Award

The ASDSO annually honors those individuals and organizations making exemplary contributions to the improvement of dam safety in the U.S. through its awards program.

About Flatiron

Flatiron is the trusted provider of innovative solutions to infrastructure challenges across the U.S. and Canada. For public and private clients, Flatiron builds highways, bridges, airports, rail transit, dams, water facilities and underground projects. For more on how Flatiron is transforming infrastructure, visit www.flatironcorp.com. Flatiron is a subsidiary of HOCHTIEF, an engineering-led global infrastructure group.