California Construction News staff writer
Granite Construction has been awarded a $50 million contract by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) for the Tiger Creek Regulator Dam Spillway Replacement project in Amador County.
Part of PG&E’s Mokelumne River Hydroelectric Project, the project includes construction of a new spillway that will replace an existing structure at the Tiger Creek Regulator Dam, a slab and buttress dam originally constructed in 1931. The project will enhance long-term dam safety, improve operational reliability, and ensure compliance with updated regulatory and engineering standards.
Construction began in May 2026, with completion anticipated in May 2028.
“We have a long history of building critical dam projects for many clients in Northern California including the Folsom Dam Auxiliary Spillway Control Structure, Mormon Island Auxiliary Dam, Lost Creek Dam, and Log Pond Dam,” says Bob Mihal, Granite Area Manager. “Our team brings deep technical expertise and a collaborative approach, and we look forward to serving PG&E and strengthening our partnership on critical infrastructure that supports the region’s communities.”
Granite’s scope of work includes construction of the new spillway crest structure and chute, installation of a temporary cofferdam to allow work to be performed in dry conditions, excavation and rock anchoring, placement of mass and structural concrete, and decommissioning of the existing spillway. The project also includes improvements to site access, including construction of a permanent access road to support ongoing maintenance of the new spillway.
A separate preconstruction contract, completed in 2024 with an approximate value of $600,000, supported early planning and constructability efforts for the project.
