Ice Harbor Lock and Dam has been honored as the Infrastructure Project of the Year by the American Shotcrete Association, due to a groundbreaking initiative to enhance hydroelectric efficiency and improve fish survival.
This milestone marks a significant achievement for the Bonneville Power Administration Large Cap Program and the Turbine Survival Program, in partnership with Voith Hydro Inc.
Shotcrete technology is one of the most innovative aspects utilized in this project, which allowed workers to modify the draft tube shape.
Engineers and scientists employed a meticulous process of reinforcing existing concrete, roughening surfaces, and building up new formations to achieve the optimal shape. This method, successfully applied to units 1, 2, and 3, was detailed in a published article by the American Shotcrete Association, highlighting the technical excellence and execution of the project.
Since 2016, construction efforts have been underway to replace aging turbines and rewind generators at the Ice Harbor Project, originally installed in May 1961. With the goal of improving downstream migration conditions for juvenile Steelhead and Salmon, the project features newly designed turbine runners and a reengineered draft tube shape.
The collaboration with Voith Hydro Inc. led to the development of two turbine designs—one with fixed blades and another with adjustable blades—ensuring maximum efficiency while prioritizing fish passage safety.
Additionally, these enhancements will reduce the risk of oil leaks into the river and reinforce environmental stewardship in hydroelectric operations.
The project has demonstrated a high degree of innovation, balancing ecological considerations with advanced hydroelectric engineering.
As the project progresses, Unit 1 is currently being reassembled, with a targeted return to service set for summer 2026.
This final phase will complete the overhaul of the facility’s turbine system, further solidifying its role in sustainable energy production and environmental preservation.
This recognition by the American Shotcrete Association underscores the project's impact on the future of hydroelectric energy and fish conservation.