Leavitt Reservoir Expansion Project

In 2006 Shell Valley Watershed Improvement began discussing options to increase water storage for Shell Valley water users. The Shell Valley Watershed Improvement District requested to expand Leavitt Reservoir, an existing off-channel facility (643 acre-feet). The Reservoir Expansion will have a total capacity of approximately 6,604 acre-feet, of which 4,461 acre-feet will serve as a new active supplemental irrigation supply on top of the original right, leaving a 1,500 acre-foot minimum pool for habitat, fishing and recreational use. Additionally, the reservoir will provide some flood control and, by enhancing stream flow, have the potential to positively influence downstream riparian vegetation for the benefit of fisheries and wildlife. Shell Valley WID secured funding through the WWDC in the
amount of $46 million. In 2021, bids were requested to begin construction of the Leavitt Reservoir Expansion. In January 2022, the WID only received one bid and that bid came in 58% higher than the estimated total cost. The WID board had to put the project on hold until they could come up with another solution, which involved going back to the Select water committee & legislation and ask for additional funds. The WID successfully received additional funding in the amount of $78 million. In 2023, bidding opened once again with the overall project broken
down into four contracts. Contract A is for the construction of the dam, outlet works, wetlands and recreation facilities, Contract B is for the construction of the supply pipeline and associated structures, Contract C is for the construction of
the transfer pipeline and associated structures & Contract D covers aggregate processing/import. Six contractors bid on the project. The lowest bids for the four contracts totaled $77.56 million.  The Leavitt Reservoir Expansion Project began construction  in September 2023 with an approximate completion date in 2025.