By the early 1940s, Scofield Dam was nearing the end of its useful life. Originally constructed using outdated methods, the structure could no longer meet the demands placed upon it. The solution was not a repair or partial upgrade. The dam needed to be replaced entirely.
W.W. Clyde & Co. was awarded the contract to take on what was widely considered the largest reclamation project of the decade. The scope of work was significant and complex, requiring expertise well beyond traditional earthwork and roadway construction.
Rather than rebuilding on the existing footprint, the new dam was constructed approximately 800 feet downstream from the original structure. Crews excavated deep into the site, establishing a foundation nearly 75 feet below the streambed. The work demanded precision, planning and adaptability in an environment where conditions could change quickly.
Completed in 1946, the new Scofield Dam created a reservoir capable of holding approximately 73,000 acre feet of water and covering nearly four square miles. The project provided long term water storage and reliability for surrounding communities and industries.
The Scofield Dam rebuild demonstrated the growing depth and diversity of W.W. Clyde. The project showcased the company’s ability to manage large scale reclamation work while maintaining the same standards of integrity and dependability that defined its earlier projects.
Nearly 80 years later, the principles behind this project remain central to how W.W. Clyde approaches complex construction today.