The US Provo River Water Users Association (PRWUA) has awarded construction company Granite a $73m construction manager/general contractor (CM/GC) water project in Utah.

The PRWUA-funded project intends to improve and upgrade the Deer Creek Dam & Reservoir in Heber Valley, Utah.

For more than eight decades, the Deer Creek Dam & Reservoir has been an important part of infrastructure for more than 1.5 million Wasatch Front residents.

Granite’s scope of work involves installing a bypass intake to the current facilities. This will enable the restoration of existing guard gates.

PRWUA will now be able to shut down the existing intake for the first time since it was built over 80 years ago.

Furthermore, if the water quality varies in the future, they will be able to draw from two distinct heights, ensuring that the water quality supplying the river below the dam stays high.

Granite regional operations vice-president Jason Klaumann said: “Our commitment to Utah’s growth, prosperity, and well-being drives us to embrace this project with ingenuity and expertise.

“By modernising the Deer Creek Dam & Reservoir, we are not only ensuring a dependable water supply and safeguarding the reservoir’s cherished recreational opportunities but we are also contributing to the long-term economic sustainability of the entire region.”

Over the last two years, PRWUA and Granite have worked together on the Deer Creek intake project.

In the design completion phase, Granite supported the project by contributing to the value engineering process.

PRWUA general manager Jeff Budge said: “With a meticulously structured and organised team, Granite has not only facilitated the design preparation but has also ensured the retention of a guaranteed maximum price.”

The project commenced this May and is anticipated to finish in March 2026.