Jennifer Garcia Torres, Author at America's Engineers

Brig. Gen. Daniel Hibner, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division Commander, and Eng. Josué Colón, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, sign a Memorandum of Agreement to implement the permanent repairs of the Guajataca Dam in Isabela. This MOA sets the path for the final phase of the permanent repairs of this dam. This project will reduce the risk to approximately 1,000 people that live directly downstream of the dam and will reduce the risk of cutting off the water supply to over 250,000 people. Governor Pedro Pierluisi, government officials, PREPA representatives and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel participated in the signing ceremony. — Brig. Gen. Daniel Hibner, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division Commander, and Eng. Josué Colón, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, sign a Memorandum of Agreement to implement the permanent repairs of the Guajataca Dam in Isabela.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) South Atlantic Division (SAD) commander, Brigadier General Daniel Hibner, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on June 29, 2023, with the Puerto Rico Power Authority (PREPA), to initiate the permanent repairs of the Guajataca Dam in Isabela, Puerto Rico. The total estimated cost for this project is around $1 billion. The funds will be received from PREPA with funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Funds. It is estimated that the permanent repairs will benefit 1,000 people that live directly downstream of the dam and another 250,000 that receive water from the filtration plants in Guajataca, Quebradillas, Isabela, and the mountains of Aguadilla. Governor Pedro Pierluisi was present during the signing ceremony.

“This Memorandum of Agreement sets the path for the final phase of the permanent repairs at the Guajataca Dam. This partnership is set for success, not only because of USACE expertise, but also because we have tremendous support from FEMA and the engagement and commitment of our local sponsor PREPA.” stated Brig Gen Hibner.

In 2017 Hurricane María caused failure of the spillway structure and damaged the water supply line, and the dam outlet works. Project Manager Carolina Burnette explained that the MOA paves the way for the risk analysis, which will take approximately two years. After completing this step, the design phase will occur, followed by the construction phase which is expected to last five years.

A Navy MH53 helicopter places a barrier down to strengthen the broken dam, Oct. 5, 2017 at Guajataca Dam, Isabela, Puerto Rico. The Department of Defense is conducting on-going missions to rebuild and assist the citizens of Puerto Rico. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Deomontez Duncan) — A Navy MH53 helicopter places a barrier down to strengthen the broken dam, Oct. 5, 2017 at Guajataca Dam, Isabela, Puerto Rico. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Deomontez Duncan)

Puerto Rico’s governor, Pedro Pierluisi, stated that “this project will bring a dam that was built in 1913 to the twenty-first century. The dam will not only get the repairs needed but it will also have an alarm system that will inform first responders if evacuations are needed or will notify authorities of any other emergency that will put lives or properties at risk. The repairs will provide the Guajataca Dam with the stability, strength, and resiliency it needs for the future.”

Aerial visual of current status of Guajataca Dam, USACE contractors, working with local and Puerto Rico agences are implementing temporary measures intended to lower risk and protect the communities living downstream of Guajataca Dam during a flood event, until permanent repairs are implemented. (Courtesy photo)

Prior to signing of the MOA, Brig. Gen. Hibner met with Governor Pierluisi and other members of his cabinet and briefed them about Task Force Virgin Islands Puerto Rico (VIPR), as well as provided them with updates from the Puerto Rico Power Mission. The SAD Commander explained that “VIPR represents a precedent setting time in the history of USACE in the Island since the program infrastructure in Puerto Rico is larger than the last fifty years combined. This is an opportunity to make history in Puerto Rico. Task Force VIPR is about people: protect life and property of the citizens by mitigating the flood risk with leadership whose focus are the projects in both islands.”

The Power Mission, led by USACE’s District of Savannah, was also discussed before the ceremony. Regarding this mission, Brig. Gen. Hibner commented that USACE is “actively engaged in addressing the power grid challenges in Puerto Rico that have been made worse by recent hurricanes. The Corps is contributing valuable technical expertise to successfully deliver power to the grid and the infrastructure to rapidly respond to power generation and repair issues now and in the future.”

America's Engineers: The People, Programs, and Projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ® is published by American Conference & Event Media, LLC.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

American Conference & Event Media, LLC., and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any person or company for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in the material herein, regardless of whether such errors result from negligence, accident, or any other cause whatsoever. The views and opinions in the articles or advertisement are to be taken as the official expression of the publisher, staff, or writers, unless so stated. Neither the publisher nor USACE warrant, either expressly or by implication, the factual accuracy of the articles or advertisements herein, nor so they so warrant any view or opinions offered by the authors of said articles.

Permission to use various images and text in the publication and on this website was obtained from USACE or U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and its agencies, and in no was is used to imply an endorsement by USACE nor any DOD entity for any claims or representations therein. None of the advertising contained herein implies USACE or DOD endorsement of any private entity or enterprise. This is not a U.S. government publication or website.