Glen Canyon Dam, like all large Reclamation dams, is being built by private construction companies that are awarded contracts by competitive bidding. The prime contract, totaling $107,955,122, was awarded to the Merritt-Chapman and Scott Corporation of New York City, April 29, 1957. It provides for construction of the dam and powerhouse and is the largest single contract the Bureau has ever awarded and probably the largest for any type of construction project.

By June 1960, the contractor had completed the diversion and spillway tunnels, lined them with concrete, built the coffer dams (temporary earth structures diverting the river around the damsite during construction), and excavated the foundation of the dam. First placement of concrete in the foundation of the dam and powerhouse was observed by public ceremonies at the damsite on June 17, 1960. Initial storage of water behind the dam is scheduled for early 1962.

A $6,392,000 contract for the manufacture of eight 155,500-horsepower, 150-r.p.m., vertical-shaft hydraulic turbines for the powerplant has been awarded to the Baldwin-Lima Hamilton Corp. Additional contracts for generators and other adjuncts will be awarded later to equip the dam and powerplant. Glen Canyon’s first hydroelectric generating unit is scheduled to go on line in 1964.