MWH Americas, Bellevue, Wash., was awarded the contract on March 2. They will provide architect and engineering services for numerous activities associated with the upcoming Grand Coulee Dam Third Powerplant Unit Overhaul.

"The Grand Coulee Dam is a vital part of our nation's infrastructure, generating power for communities across the Northwest," said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. "This contract will allow Reclamation to modernize and maintain the Grand Coulee Dam so that it can continue to serve as a key component of our nation's energy infrastructure."

An environmental assessment describing the options for accomplishing the unit overhaul project is currently underway. The six generating units that comprise the Third Powerplant have been in service since the mid 1970s and their reliability is decreasing.

Grand Coulee Dam is located on the Columbia River in north central Washington. It was completed in 1942 and today serves as a multipurpose facility providing water for irrigation, recreation, fish and wildlife, hydroelectric power production, and flood control.