Council authorizes Jacobs for Big Creek Dam No. 2 design amid urgency to protect city water supply

The Newport City Council authorized a professional‑services contract with Jacobs to design rehabilitation work for Big Creek Dam Number 2, approving a fee of $286,624 and authorizing the city manager to execute a contract subject to attorney review.

City Engineer Chris Beatty told the council that Big Creek Dams 1 and 2 supply Newport’s domestic water and that conduits have reached the end of their useful life with significant corrosion, wall‑thickness loss and internal erosion. A 2025 hydraulic assessment confirmed targeted conduit rehabilitation is required. Beatty said the state dam engineer’s inspections support the need for timely action and that, without work, the state could restrict reservoir operating levels or impose other conditions.

Beatty said Jacobs was the only firm to respond to the request for qualifications; their fee was $286,624 and funding is included in the current fiscal budget but leaves little contingency. The design phase is expected to take roughly six months; staff said construction procurement would follow once sufficient construction funding is identified.

Councilors emphasized urgency, noting the work is necessary to preserve the city’s short‑term water supply and to avoid possible restrictions from the state dam engineer. The motion to award Jacobs the design contract passed by voice vote.