A contractor crew worked out of the bucket truck
A contractor crew worked out of the bucket truck, Sept. 25, 2012, to perform dead-ending operations as part of phase 1 of the Lovell-to-Yellowtail transmission line rebuild. (Photo by Bob Kemp) See more photos of phase 1 and 2 construction on Flickr.

LOVELL-YELLOWTAIL TRANSMISSION LINE REBUILD PROJECT

PROJECT OVERVIEW

WAPA is rebuilding the Lovell-to-Yellowtail No. 1 and No. 2 115-kV transmission lines. The 94-circuit-miles of lines are located between Lovell, Wyo., and Yellowtail Dam, Mont.

The rebuilt transmission lines are needed because the original lines were built by the Bureau of Reclamation in 1956 and 1966. The project will:

  • Ensure reliability and safety of the transmission lines
  • Improve capability to transmit full output from Yellowtail power plant
  • Allow easier access for maintenance
  • Improve communication capabilities through installed overhead optical ground wire

SCHEDULE

The Lovell-to-Yellowtail No. 1 and No. 2 transmission lines project allows one line to be in service at all times to continue reliable service to the area while the other line is being rebuilt. The rebuild is separated into three phases.

Projected completion of project:

  • Oct. 2012 – Phase 1 Completed: WAPA rebuilt and energized the section of line in National Park Service Big Horn National Recreation Area.
  • Oct. 2013 – Phase 2 Completed: Rebuilt and ene​rgized the section of line in north and south of National Park Service.
  • Oct. 2015 – Basin-Lovell section Completed.
  • Phase 3: Rebuild and energize section of line on the Crow Reservation. Status update: Construction for this phase is planned for October 2022 to September 2023.

RELATED INFORMATION

Environmental Assessment information – WAPA completed an environmental review of this project in September 2011. A “Finding of No Significant Impact” was signed Sept. 23, 2011.

CONTACT

Public Affairs
Western Area Power Administration
P.O. Box 281213
Lakewood, CO 80228
phone: 720-962-7050
e-mail: publicaffairs@wapa.gov

 

Last modified on September 5th, 2023