Home / Top 5 Projects
 

Little Rock District Top 5 Priority Projects

Advancing critical infrastructure, energy, and navigation across the district.

Project 1 of 5

MKARNS 110′ Stop Log Slot Conversions

McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System — $186M infrastructure modernization across 12 locks

▼
Authorization Annual Civil Works Appropriations
Project Sponsor Full Federal Project
Location MKARNS, Arkansas & Oklahoma

During inspection prior to performing a maintenance dewater, the Little Rock District discovered that the existing center post supporting 50′ Stop Logs had catastrophically failed. After verifying similar failures at other locations along the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS), SWL determined that the stop log slots at all affected locks would be converted to support 110′ Stop Logs.

The District utilized design resources including enterprise resources from LRL, LRP, INDC, and AE design firms to complete designs, and solicited and awarded a Construction MATOC with $200M of capacity to a pool of technically qualified construction firms. The navigation closure window for construction phases is 15 June – 30 September annually.

To date, six locks have been awarded for construction, four are in design, one is completed, and the final location will begin design in Q4 FY26.

Budget Information

Authorized Total Project Cost $186,000,000
Funds Utilized to Date $130,200,000
Remaining Funds $55,800,000
Federal Cost $186,000,000

Current Status

  • Dardanelle, Trimble, Ozark, Murray, Toad Suck, and Ormond Locks are scheduled to complete construction CY26.
  • Lock 2, Hardin, Sanders, and Maynard Locks are scheduled to complete design in CY26.
  • Montgomery Point scheduled to begin design Q4 FY26.
★ Future Value to the Nation Without project completion, locks will be unable to be dewatered for inspection or emergency closures. Underwater components cannot be properly inspected and maintained, placing entire structures at risk. In the event of catastrophic failure (e.g., miter gate failure), replacement would be impossible and could close the river indefinitely.
Project 2 of 5

Arkansas River Hydroelectric Projects (Maynard, Sanders, Hardin)

Jefferson & Lincoln Counties, AR — Private developer proposing ~65.7 MW run-of-release hydroelectric generation at three existing MKARNS locks

▼
Authorization FERC Preliminary Permits P-15406, P-15330, P-15326; USACE Section 408
Project Sponsor Current Hydro LLC (Private Developer)
Location Jefferson & Lincoln Counties, Arkansas

Key Stakeholder Interest

Navigation Renewable Energy Environment AR Senators AR Representatives 1–4
Aerial view of Maynard and Sanders Locks and Dams on the Arkansas River, proposed sites for run-of-release hydroelectric generation

Current Hydro LLC is proposing to construct, own, and operate three run-of-release hydroelectric generation stations at existing USACE facilities on the Arkansas River: Col. Charles D. Maynard (L&D 5), Emmett Sanders (L&D 4), and Joe Hardin (L&D 3). The combined projects will feature a total capacity of approximately 65.7 MW using low-profile, pit-style turbine generators.

The facilities are being designed with a low-impact footprint to use a maximum of 60% flow exceedance, ensuring that the majority of river flows continue to pass over the dams. Because these are non-federal facilities utilizing federal infrastructure, Current Hydro must comply with USACE design and construction standards to ensure that no structures, systems, or components negatively impact the mission, structural integrity, or safety of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS).

Budget Information

Authorized Total Project Cost N/A
Non-Federal Sponsor Cost 100% (Private)
Non-Federal Funding Received to Date N/A
Federal Cost N/A

Current Status

  • Pre-application and study phase. FERC Preliminary Permits were granted to Current Hydro in late 2025.
  • The Pre-Application Document (PAD) and Proposed Studies Plan (PSP) were submitted in Spring 2026.
  • Environmental studies (fish assemblage, water quality, mussels) and bathymetric/hydrologic data collection are scheduled to commence in Summer 2026.

Outstanding Issues & Concerns

⚠ Active USACE Concerns — Review Required These items must be resolved before USACE can support project advancement.
  • Cumulative Impacts: USACE's most significant concern is the cumulative impact of three closely spaced hydropower plants on the MKARNS, specifically regarding sedimentation, water management, and water quality.
  • Modeling Requirements: Current Hydro must submit robust 2D hydraulic models (and potentially physical or ship-sim models) to guarantee that flow diversions, surges from rapid shutdowns, and modified spillway operations will not negatively affect navigation or cause localized scour.
  • Risk Assessment: The developer is required to conduct a Potential Failure Mode Analysis (PFMA) and a Semi-Quantitative Risk Assessment (SQRA) during both the construction and operational phases.
  • Concurrent USACE Work: Little Rock District suspects systemic pressure relief system failure at MKARNS locks founded on pilings (Locks 3, 4, and 5). Upcoming planned repair work, pending funding, may conflict with or impact hydropower plant construction efforts.

Upcoming Actions

  • Execution of Summer/Fall 2026 field studies and bathymetric surveys.
  • Submission of the 30% Design and Section 408 application packages for USACE review.
  • Ongoing pre-application coordination among USACE, Current Hydro, AGFC, and USFWS to review modeling techniques and study results.
★ Strategic Message While facilitating the transition to renewable energy, development on the MKARNS must strictly adhere to the principles of preserving USACE dam safety and navigational integrity. Coordination ensures that these private infrastructure additions will cumulatively manage flows without degrading water quality or impeding commercial navigation on the Arkansas River.
Project 3 of 5

Bull Shoals Major Equipment Replacement

Bull Shoals Lake Dam Powerhouse — $114M rehabilitation increasing capacity from 340 MW to 362 MW

▼
Authorization WRDA 2000, Section 212 — Hydroelectric Power Project Funding
Project Sponsor SPRA / Southwestern Power Administration (SWPA)
Location Bull Shoals Lake Dam Powerhouse, Arkansas

Bull Shoals Dam Powerplant is an 8-unit hydroelectric plant with a combined installed power capacity of 340 MW. This project will increase power capacity to 362 MW. The plant began commercial power generation in 1952, with final installation of all generating units completed in 1963.

The Major Equipment Replacement project is scoped to replace and rehabilitate major components including turbines, generators, transformers, and other ancillary equipment that have reached the end of their service life. Design funds were approved in May 2018, with additional approvals in July 2022 and January 2025.

The Turbine Replacement and Generator Rewinds will uprate Units 1–4 from 48.4 MVA to 54 MVA, and current turbine runners will be replaced with aerating runners to improve dissolved oxygen downstream of the dam.

Budget Information

Authorized Total Project Cost $113,917,500
Non-Federal Sponsor Cost $113,917,500
Non-Federal Funding Received to Date $13,917,500
Federal Cost $0

Current Status

  • Powerhouse bridge crane replacement contract awarded November 2023 to Garco-Wemco JV; new crane in final fabrication; on-site work begins June 2026.
  • SWPA collecting funds for the Units 1–4 Turbine Generator project; $100M approved. Remaining $93M will be requested in the current funding cycle; SWL does not expect funding until FY28–FY29 at the earliest.
  • Transformer design ongoing; 60% design completed January 2026. Existing oil-filled GSU transformers will be replaced with three-phase SF6 gas-insulated transformers (GITs).
★ Future Value to the Nation This project will increase power generating capacity at Bull Shoals Dam Powerhouse, improve dissolved oxygen downstream of the dam, and reset the service life of key components to improve unit reliability for power customers.
Project 4 of 5

Norfork Major Rehabilitation

Norfork Lake Dam Powerhouse — $114M rehabilitation increasing capacity from 80 MW to 93 MW

▼
Authorization WRDA 2000, Section 212 — Hydroelectric Power Project Funding
Project Sponsor SPRA / Southwestern Power Administration (SWPA)
Location Norfork Lake Dam Powerhouse, Arkansas

Norfork Dam Powerplant is a 2-unit hydroelectric plant with a combined installed power capacity of 80 MW. This project will increase power capacity to 93 MW. The plant began commercial power generation in 1944 and is one of USACE’s oldest hydroelectric facilities.

The Major Rehabilitation project replaces and rehabilitates major components including turbines, generators, transformers, and ancillary equipment. Design funds were approved in July 2016; the first construction funding package was approved November 2018, with additional approvals in January 2022 and July 2024.

The Turbine Replacement and Generator Rewind contract ($52.6M currently), awarded September 2022, will uprate both units from 40 MW to 46.5 MW and replace existing turbine runners with aerating runners to improve dissolved oxygen downstream of the dam.

Budget Information

Authorized Total Project Cost $113,500,000
Non-Federal Sponsor Cost $113,500,000
Non-Federal Funding Received to Date $102,000,000
Federal Cost $0

Current Status

  • Turbine Generator contractor (Voith Hydro) mobilized January 2026 to begin site work.
  • Unit 2 outage began February 12, 2026; scheduled duration of 14 months.
  • Additional contract work ongoing with McKenzie Construction to upsize the cable tunnel cooling system to match increased cooling load within the tunnel.
★ Future Value to the Nation This project will increase power generating capacity at Norfork Dam Powerhouse, improve dissolved oxygen downstream of the dam, and reset the service life of key components to improve unit reliability for power customers.
Project 5 of 5

Beaver Dam Generator Rewind

Beaver Lake Dam Powerhouse — $27M restoration returning full 112 MW generating capacity after stator fault

▼
Authorization WRDA 2000, Section 212 — Hydroelectric Power Project Funding
Project Sponsor SPRA / Southwestern Power Administration (SWPA)
Location Beaver Lake Dam Powerhouse, Arkansas

Beaver Dam Powerplant is a 2-unit hydroelectric plant with a combined power capacity of 112 MW. This project restores full generating power capacity after Unit 2 experienced a stator fault in August 2016. The plant began commercial power generation in May 1965.

The generator rewind contract was awarded to Andritz Hydro on September 30, 2021, for $11.6M. The project encountered numerous unforeseen challenges including HAZMAT abatement, Unit 2 rotational issues, and the need to stiffen both units’ stator frames. The resulting contract amount is currently $18.3M, with an additional modification ($1.4M) negotiated and awaiting award.

Additional funding to complete the project was approved by SWPA and SPRA in October 2025. SWL is awaiting final execution of sub-agreement modification 431-M002-S321-M002 for an additional $2,500,000.

Budget Information

Authorized Total Project Cost $27,300,000
Non-Federal Sponsor Cost $27,300,000
Non-Federal Funding Received to Date $24,800,000
Federal Cost $0

Current Status

  • Unit 2 returned to service April 2025 after being out of service for 8+ years due to stator fault.
  • Unit 1 outage began May 2025; reassembly of unit now complete following generator rewind work.
  • Commissioning of Unit 1 ongoing; return to service expected mid-March 2026.

Upcoming Actions

  • Completion of wet commissioning of Unit 1 and special field testing.
  • Finalize execution of sub-agreement modification 431-M002-S321-M002 ($2,500,000).
★ Future Value to the Nation This project restored full generating power capacity (112 MW) to Beaver Dam Powerhouse, prepared the generator for future power uprates if deemed feasible, and reset the service life of key components to improve unit reliability for power customers.