The Bureau of Reclamation was boring 22-foot tunnels through mountains in the 1930s. The military's classified capability by the 1990s is effectively unbounded.
The United States Bureau of Reclamation has built tunnels in every major western state — hundreds of them, spanning thousands to tens of thousands of feet, bored through mountains at depths of up to 3,720 feet below the surface. The longest single tunnel on the list is the 68,810-foot Alva B. Adams tunnel in Colorado, bored beneath Rocky Mountain National Park. California’s Clear Creek tunnel runs 56,668 feet at 2,700 feet of cover. The Buckskin Mountains tunnel in Arizona spans nearly 36,000 feet. These are not classified facilities. They are public infrastructure projects — water conveyance, irrigation, hydroelectric power — documented in official Bureau of Reclamation records with precise specifications: diameter, length, shape, cover depth, location, and commissioning date.
What makes this data significant for the underground base researcher is not what it reveals about the Bureau of Reclamation, but what it reveals about tunneling capacity. If the civilian government was boring 9-to-22-foot-diameter tunnels through mountain ranges in the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s — some extending more than ten miles through solid rock — then the military’s classified tunneling capability by the 1990s is effectively unbounded. This document is the baseline: the known, acknowledged, publicly documented starting point for American underground construction. Everything the black budget builds sits on top of this foundation — and this foundation alone includes hundreds of tunnels spanning the entire American West.
Bureau of Reclamation – Tunnels
Alaska
Eklutna
- Project: Eklutna 8/31/51
- 27 miles NE of Anchorage , Alaska
- 9.00 feet in diameter and 22,772 feet long
- Circular shape with feet of cover
Arizona
AGUA FRIA
- Project: Central Arizona
- 12 miles N of Sun City , Arizona
- 19.50 feet in diameter and 3,686 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 450 feet of cover
BUCKSKIN MOUNTAINS
- Project: Central Arizona
- 20 miles NE of Parker , Arizona
- 22.00 feet in diameter and 35,915 feet long
- Circular shape with 760 feet of cover
BURNT MOUNTAIN
- Project: Central Arizona
- 10 miles NW of Tonopah , Arizona
- 19.50 feet in diameter and 2,730 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 600 feet of cover
Gila No. 1
- Project: Gila 2/27/36
- 10 miles NE of Yuma , Arizona
- 20.00 feet in diameter and 1,740 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 138 feet of cover
Gila No. 2
- Project: Gila 2/27/36
- 10 miles NE of Yuma , Arizona
- 20.00 feet in diameter and 4,125 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 255 feet of cover
Southern Pacific Railroad Underpass
- Project: Gila 12/6/49
- 20 miles E of Yuma , Arizona
- 15.33 feet in diameter and 224 feet long
- Non-standard shape with 45 feet of cover
TUCSON REACH #3 ROAD CROSSING
- Project: Central Arizona
- 1 miles NW of Rillito , Arizona
- 11.00 feet in diameter and 701 feet long
- Circular shape with 37 feet of cover
California
Camino
- Project: Central Valley 10/20/53
- 11 miles E of Placerville , California
- 7.00 feet in diameter and 2,289 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 215 feet of cover
Camp Creek
- Project: Central Valley 10/16/52
- 14 miles E of Placerville , California
- 7.00 feet in diameter and 2,845 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Clear Creek
- Project: Central Valley 12/20/56
- 2 miles SW of Shasta , California
- 17.50 feet in diameter and 56,668 feet long
- Circular shape with 2700 feet of cover
Clear Creek Sta. 457+10 ,Judge Francis Carr Powerplant By-Pass
- Project: Central Valley
- 14 miles W of Redding , California
- 6.00 feet in diameter and 263 feet long
- Excavated Horseshoe, 176 feet of cover
Contra Costa Canal No. 1
- Project: Central Valley 5/20/38
- 4 miles SE of Antioch , California
- 9.25 feet in diameter and 1,360 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 108 feet of cover
Fire Hill
- Project: San Diego 12/1/45
- 14 miles SSE of Escondida , California
- 6.00 feet in diameter and 5,350 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Lilac
- Project: San Diego 1/1/46
- 14 miles N of Escondida , California
- 6.00 feet in diameter and 500 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Oat Hill
- Project: San Diego 1/1/46
- 8 miles N of Escondida , California
- 6.00 feet in diameter and 3,592 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
PACHECO NO. 1
- Project: Central Valley
- 17 miles E of Gilroy , California
- 13.00 feet in diameter and 9,590 feet long
- Circular shape with 50 feet of cover
PACHECO REACH 2
- Project: Central Valley
- 20 miles E of Gilroy , California
- 9.50 feet in diameter and 27,984 feet long
- Circular shape with 1300 feet of cover
Poway
- Project: San Diego 12/1/45
- 15 miles SSE of Escondida , California
- 6.00 feet in diameter and 3,180 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Rainbow
- Project: San Diego 1/1/46
- 21 miles N of Escondida , California
- 6.00 feet in diameter and 4,694 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Red Mountain
- Project: San Diego 1/1/46
- 10 miles N of Escondida , California
- 6.00 feet in diameter and 3,053 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
San Vicente
- Project: San Diego 12/1/45
- 16 miles SSE of Escondida , California
- 6.00 feet in diameter and 4,694 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
SANTA CLARA
- Project: Central Valley
- 15 miles SE of Gilroy , California
- 9.67 feet in diameter and 5,095 feet long
- Circular shape with 490 feet of cover
Sheffield
- Project: Cachuma 8/30/51
- 3 miles N of Santa Barbara , California
- 6.00 feet in diameter and 6,027 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 250 feet of cover
SPRING CREEK POWER CONDUIT NO. 1
- Project: Central Valley
- 1 miles W of Shasta , California
- 18.50 feet in diameter and 8,257 feet long
- Circular shape with feet of cover
SPRING CREEK POWER CONDUIT NO. 2
- Project: Central Valley
- 1 miles W of Shasta , California
- 18.50 feet in diameter and 4,450 feet long
- Circular shape with feet of cover
SPRING CREEK POWER PLANT, TAILRACE
- Project: Central Valley
- 1 miles W of Shasta , California
- 21.00 feet in diameter and 567 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Tecolote
- Project: Cachuma 12/29/49
- 4 miles NW of Goleta , California
- 7.00 feet in diameter and 33,557 feet long
- 1,400 feet Horseshoe, 2000 feet of cover
Tule Lake
- Project: Klamath 9/27/40
- 6 miles SW of Tule Lake , California
- 5.75 feet in diameter and 6,600 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Colorado
Alva B. Adams
- Project: Colorado-Big Thompson 6/20/40
- 4 miles SW of Estes Park , Colorado
- 9.75 feet in diameter and 68,810 feet long
- Circular shape with 3720 feet of cover
Bald Mountain
- Project: Colorado-Big Thompson 11/16/50
- 11 miles SW of Loveland , Colorado
- 10.50 feet in diameter and 6,750 feet long
- Circular shape with 100 feet of cover
BLANCO
- Project: San Juan-Chama
- 18 miles SE of Pagosa Springs , Colorado
- 8.58 feet in diameter and 45,636 feet long
- Circular shape with 2000 feet of cover
CARTER
- Project: Fryingpan-Arkansas
- 19 miles N of Aspen , Colorado
- 9.83 feet in diameter and 2,887 feet long
- Modified Horseshoe shape with 190 feet of cover
Carter Lake Pressure
- Project: Colorado-Big Thompson 6/27/50
- 9 miles W of Loveland , Colorado
- 8.00 feet in diameter and 5,792 feet long
- Circular shape with 550 feet of cover
CHAPMAN
- Project: Fryingpan-Arkansas
- 16 miles W of Leadville , Colorado
- 7.00 feet in diameter and 14,597 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 2100 feet of cover
CHARLES H. BOUSTEAD(DIVIDE)
- Project: Fryingpan-Arkansas
- 10 miles W of Leadville , Colorado
- 10.50 feet in diameter and 28,511 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 2100 feet of cover
CUNNINGHAM
- Project: Fryingpan-Arkansas
- 30 miles E of Basalt , Colorado
- 10.50 feet in diameter and 15,082 feet long
- Horseshoe (Modified 1960 feet of cover
DOLORES
- Project: Dolores
- 8 miles SW of Cortez , Colorado
- 9.25 feet in diameter and 6,732 feet long
- Circular shape with 210 feet of cover
Dry Ridge
- Project: Colorado-Big Thompson 6/21/51
- 8 miles WSW of Loveland , Colorado
- 10.75 feet in diameter and 608 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 118 feet of cover
Grand Valley No. 1
- Project: Grand Valley 11/1/12
- 4 miles NNW of Palisade , Colorado
- 17.50 feet in diameter and 3,723 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Grand Valley No. 2
- Project: Grand Valley 3/1/13
- 3 miles NNW of Palisade , Colorado
- 16.00 feet in diameter and 1,655 feet long
- 1,195 feet Horseshoe, feet of cover
Grand Valley No. 3
- Project: Grand Valley 12/1/13
- 2 miles NNW of Palisade , Colorado
- 11.83 feet in diameter and 7,293 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Gunnison
- Project: Uncompahgre Valley 9/2/05
- 10 miles NE of Ceder Creek , Colorado
- 12.70 feet in diameter and 30,582 feet long
- Rectangular with shape with 2135 feet of cover
Horsetooth Feeder No. 1
- Project: Colorado-Big Thompson 8/19/49
- 8 miles W of Loveland , Colorado
- 8.25 feet in diameter and 5,123 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Horsetooth Feeder No. 2
- Project: Colorado-Big Thompson 6/11/47
- 8 miles NW of Loveland , Colorado
- 10.50 feet in diameter and 2,878 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Horsetooth Feeder No. 3
- Project: Colorado-Big Thompson 6/11/47
- 8 miles NW of Loveland , Colorado
- 10.50 feet in diameter and 1,815 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Horsetooth Feeder No. 4
- Project: Colorado-Big Thompson 6/11/47
- 9 miles NW of Loveland , Colorado
- 10.50 feet in diameter and 1,355 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Horsetooth Feeder No. 5
- Project: Colorado-Big Thompson 6/11/47
- 9 miles NW of Loveland , Colorado
- 10.50 feet in diameter and 9,363 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
HUNTER
- Project: Fryingpan-Arkansas
- 10 miles S of Thomasville , Colorado
- 8.50 feet in diameter and 24,049 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 2000 feet of cover
HUNTER COMPLETION
- Project: Fryingpan-Arkansas
- 6 miles E of Aspen , Colorado
- 7.33 feet in diameter and 15,951 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 560 feet of cover
Lyons
- Project: Colorado-Big Thompson 3/11/52
- 1 miles E of Lyons , Colorado
- 8.50 feet in diameter and 1,200 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 140 feet of cover
MORMON
- Project: Fryingpan-Arkansas
- 19 miles N of Aspen , Colorado
- 9.83 feet in diameter and 7,450 feet long
- Modified Horseshoe shape with 1470 feet of cover
NAST
- Project: Fryingpan-Arkansas
- 34 miles E of Basalt , Colorado
- 9.75 feet in diameter and 15,653 feet long
- Circular shape with 1200 feet of cover
North Poudre Supply No. 1
- Project: Colorado-Big Thompson 3/28/51
- 12 miles NW of Fort Collins , Colorado
- 8.00 feet in diameter and 4,570 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
North Poudre Supply No. 2
- Project: Colorado-Big Thompson 3/28/51
- 11 miles NW of Fort Collins , Colorado
- 8.00 feet in diameter and 4,670 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
North Poudre Supply No. 3
- Project: Colorado-Big Thompson 3/28/51
- 9 miles NW of Fort Collins , Colorado
- 8.00 feet in diameter and 1,257 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
North Poudre Supply No. 4
- Project: Colorado-Big Thompson 3/28/51
- 10 miles NW of Fort Collins , Colorado
- 8.00 feet in diameter and 3,500 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Olympus
- Project: Colorado-Big Thompson 8/2/49
- 3 miles E of Estes Park , Colorado
- 9.75 feet in diameter and 9,537 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
OSO
- Project: San Juan-Chama
- 4 miles NE of Chromo , Colorado
- 8.58 feet in diameter and 26,660 feet long
- Circular shape with 760 feet of cover
Pole Hill
- Project: Colorado-Big Thompson 8/2/49
- 10 miles E of Estes Park , Colorado
- 9.75 feet in diameter and 28,567 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Prospect Mountain
- Project: Colorado-Big Thompson 2/26/46
- 1 miles S of Estes Park , Colorado
- 12.50 feet in diameter and 5,665 feet long
- Circular shape with 850 feet of cover
Rabbit Mountain
- Project: Colorado-Big Thompson 3/11/52
- 4 miles NE of Lyons , Colorado
- 8.50 feet in diameter and 3,145 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 250 feet of cover
Rams Horn
- Project: Colorado-Big Thompson
- 4 miles SW of Estes Park , Colorado
- 10.00 feet in diameter and 6,924 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Rattlesnake
- Project: Colorado-Big Thompson 8/24/50
- 14 miles E of Estes Park , Colorado
- 9.75 feet in diameter and 8,757 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 540 feet of cover
Selig No. 1
- Project: Uncompahgre Valley 4/17/13
- 4 miles E of Olathe , Colorado
- 6.83 feet in diameter and 168 feet long
- Rectangular with shape with 48 feet of cover
Selig No. 2
- Project: Uncompahgre Valley 4/17/13
- 4 miles E of Olathe , Colorado
- 6.83 feet in diameter and 360 feet long
- Rectangular with shape with 70 feet of cover
Selig No. 3
- Project: Uncompahgre Valley 4/17/13
- 5 miles NE of Olathe , Colorado
- 6.83 feet in diameter and 113 feet long
- Rectangular with shape with 30 feet of cover
Selig No. 4
- Project: Uncompahgre Valley 4/17/13
- 5 miles NE of Olathe , Colorado
- 6.83 feet in diameter and 309 feet long
- Rectangular with shape with 42 feet of cover
South Canal No. 1 (UVP)
- Project: Uncompahgre Valley 8/28/05
- 5 miles SE of Montrose , Colorado
- 10.50 feet in diameter and 482 feet long
- Rectangular with shape with 115 feet of cover
South Canal No. 2 (UVP)
- Project: Uncompahgre Valley 8/28/05
- 5 miles SE of Montrose , Colorado
- 10.46 feet in diameter and 395 feet long
- Rectangular with shape with 132 feet of cover
South Canal No. 3 (UVP)
- Project: Uncompahgre Valley 8/28/05
- 5 miles SE of Montrose , Colorado
- 10.46 feet in diameter and 1,000 feet long
- Rectangular with shape with 188 feet of cover
South Canal No. 4 (UVP)
- Project: Uncompahgre Valley 8/28/05
- 7 miles SE of Montrose , Colorado
- 10.50 feet in diameter and feet long
- Rectangular with shape with feet of cover
South Canal No. 5 (UVP)
- Project: Uncompahgre Valley 8/28/05
- 7 miles SE of Montrose , Colorado
- 10.50 feet in diameter and feet long
- Rectangular with shape with feet of cover
SOUTH FORK
- Project: Fryingpan-Arkansas
- 13 miles W of Leadville , Colorado
- 8.00 feet in diameter and 16,244 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 2100 feet of cover
SOUTHSIDE
- Project: Collbran
- 7 miles ESE of Collbran , Colorado
- 6.50 feet in diameter and 2,388 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
West Canal No. 1 (UVP)
- Project: Uncompahgre Valley 1/23/12
- 7 miles SSE of Montrose , Colorado
- 6.83 feet in diameter and 1,800 feet long
- Rectangular with shape with feet of cover
West Canal No. 2 (UVP)
- Project: Uncompahgre Valley 1/23/12
- 5 miles SW of Montrose , Colorado
- feet in diameter and feet long
- shape with feet of cover
Colorado & New Mexico
AZOTEA
- Project: San Juan-Chama
- 6 miles SW of Chama , Colorado & New Mexico
- 10.92 feet in diameter and 67,010 feet long
- Circular shape with 1600 feet of cover
Idaho
Black Canyon Canal No. 1
- Project: Boise 12/2/35
- 5 miles NE of Emmett , Idaho
- 14.00 feet in diameter and 825 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Black Canyon Canal No. 2
- Project: Boise 12/2/35
- 3 miles S of Emmett , Idaho
- 14.00 feet in diameter and 475 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 100 feet of cover
Black Canyon Canal No. 2A
- Project: Boise 6/13/38
- 3 miles S of Emmett , Idaho
- 14.00 feet in diameter and 422 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 71 feet of cover
Black Canyon Canal No. 3
- Project: Boise 7/27/36
- 4 miles SW of Emmett , Idaho
- 14.00 feet in diameter and 1,375 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 236 feet of cover
Black Canyon Canal No. 4
- Project: Boise 7/27/36
- 4 miles SW of Emmett , Idaho
- 14.00 feet in diameter and 1,270 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 160 feet of cover
Black Canyon Canal No. 5
- Project: Boise 7/27/36
- 5 miles SW of Emmett , Idaho
- 14.00 feet in diameter and 640 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 105 feet of cover
Black Canyon Canal No. 6
- Project: Boise 7/27/36
- 5 miles SW of Emmett , Idaho
- 14.00 feet in diameter and 870 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 253 feet of cover
Black Canyon Canal No. 7
- Project: Boise 12/2/35
- 6 miles SW of Emmett , Idaho
- 14.00 feet in diameter and 1,630 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Black Canyon Canal No. 8
- Project: Boise 12/2/35
- 13 miles WSW of Emmett , Idaho
- 8.50 feet in diameter and 3,170 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 65 feet of cover
STATION CREEK
- Project: Preston Bench
- 7 miles NE of Preston , Idaho
- 6.50 feet in diameter and 1,125 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Montana
Helena Valley
- Project: Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin 11/27/56
- 12 miles E of Helena , Montana
- 7.00 feet in diameter and 13,985 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 750 feet of cover
Huntley No. 1
- Project: Huntley 1/15/06
- 1 miles SW of Huntley , Montana
- 9.16 feet in diameter and 716 feet long
- Rectangular with shape with feet of cover
Huntley No. 2
- Project: Huntley 1/15/06
- 1 miles SW of Huntley , Montana
- 9.20 feet in diameter and 1,548 feet long
- Rectangular with shape with feet of cover
Huntley No. 3
- Project: Huntley 1/15/06
- 1 miles SW of Huntley , Montana
- 9.16 feet in diameter and 390 feet long
- Rectangular with shape with feet of cover
Pishkun Reservoir Supply No. 1
- Project: Sun River 1/1/13
- 17 miles SSW of Saypo , Montana
- 11.50 feet in diameter and 621 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Pishkun Reservoir Supply No. 2
- Project: Sun River 4/30/13
- 12 miles S of Saypo , Montana
- 12.00 feet in diameter and 1,003 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 53 feet of cover
Pishkun Reservoir Supply No. 3
- Project: Sun River 4/30/13
- 12 miles S of Saypo , Montana
- 12.00 feet in diameter and 2,280 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 110 feet of cover
Toston
- Project: Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin 8/5/52
- 3 miles S of Toston , Montana
- 6.50 feet in diameter and 2,044 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Nebraska
Fort Laramie No. 3
- Project: North Platte 4/16/23
- 7 miles WSW of Scottsbluff , Nebraska
- 10.25 feet in diameter and 6,501 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 230 feet of cover
SHERMAN FEEDER
- Project: Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin
- 6 miles N of Loup City , Nebraska
- 11.50 feet in diameter and 2,053 feet long
- Circular shape with 150 feet of cover
Nevada
RIVER MOUNTAINS
- Project: Southern Nevada Water
- 5 miles NE of Henderson , Nevada
- 10.10 feet in diameter and 19,970 feet long
- Circular shape with 650 feet of cover
Southern Nevada P P #1 Intake
- Project: Southern Nevada Water 6/18/68
- 10 miles ENE of Boulder City , Nevada
- 13.00 feet in diameter and 1,321 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 516 feet of cover
Truckee
- Project: Truckee 7/15/03
- 10 miles S of Wadsworth , Nevada
- 12.33 feet in diameter and feet long
- Rectangular with shape with feet of cover
New Mexico
Earth Canal No. 1
- Project: Tucumcari 11/16/39
- 1 miles E of Conchas City , New Mexico
- 11.60 feet in diameter and 2,500 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Earth Canal No. 2
- Project: Tucumcari 11/16/39
- 8 miles SE of Conchas City , New Mexico
- 11.50 feet in diameter and 7,930 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Earth Canal No. 3
- Project: Tucumcari 11/16/39
- 11 miles SE of Conchas City , New Mexico
- 11.50 feet in diameter and 9,650 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Earth Canal No. 4
- Project: Tucumcari 10/6/42
- 13 miles NW of Tucumcari , New Mexico
- 11.50 feet in diameter and 7,087 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 378 feet of cover
Earth Canal No. 5
- Project: Tucumcari 11/17/44
- 1 miles S of Tucumcari , New Mexico
- 11.50 feet in diameter and 3,053 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 27 feet of cover
Navajo Dam Rt. Abut Drainage
- Project: Colorado River Storage 9/26/86
- 22 miles E of Aztec , New Mexico
- 9.00 feet in diameter and 1,175 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 330 feet of cover
NAVAJO NO. 1
- Project: Navajo Indian Irrigation
- 22 miles E of Bloomfield , New Mexico
- 18.00 feet in diameter and 10,078 feet long
- Circular shape with 320 feet of cover
NAVAJO NO. 2
- Project: Navajo Indian Irrigation
- 21 miles W of Aztec , New Mexico
- 17.50 feet in diameter and 25,800 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 780 feet of cover
NAVAJO NO. 3
- Project: Navajo Indian Irrigation
- 12 miles SE of Bloomfield , New Mexico
- 18.00 feet in diameter and 15,264 feet long
- Circular shape with 1100 feet of cover
NAVAJO NO. 3A
- Project: Navajo Indian Irrigation
- 10 miles SE of Bloomfield , New Mexico
- 18.00 feet in diameter and 3,312 feet long
- Circular shape with 250 feet of cover
NAVAJO NO. 4
- Project: Navajo Indian Irrigation
- 18 miles SE of Farmington , New Mexico
- 17.50 feet in diameter and 4,999 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 230 feet of cover
NAVAJO NO. 5
- Project: Navajo Indian Irrigation
- 8 miles S of Farmington , New Mexico
- 10.50 feet in diameter and 7,437 feet long
- Circular shape with 160 feet of cover
NAVAJO ROUTE 44 ROAD CROSSING
- Project: Navajo Indian Irrigation
- 6 miles SW of Bloomfield , New Mexico
- 18.00 feet in diameter and 519 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 102 feet of cover
North Dakota
MCCLUSKEY
- Project: Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin
- 2 miles W of McClusky , North Dakota
- 15.00 feet in diameter and 416 feet long
- Circular shape with 125 feet of cover
Oregon
Approach
- Project: Owyhee 12/23/31
- 5 miles WSW of Adrian , Oregon
- 12.25 feet in diameter and 440 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 83 feet of cover
CASCADE DIVIDE
- Project: Rogue River Basin
- 22 miles SE of Medford , Oregon
- 6.00 feet in diameter and 2,100 feet long
- Circular shape with feet of cover
Deadwood
- Project: Rogue River Basin 7/2/56
- 24 miles E of Medford , Oregon
- 6.00 feet in diameter and 3,553 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 125 feet of cover
Deschutes No. 1
- Project: Deschutes 1/31/44
- 3 miles NW of Terrebonne , Oregon
- 11.25 feet in diameter and 3,361 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Deschutes No. 2
- Project: Deschutes 1/31/44
- 3 miles NW of Terrebonne , Oregon
- 11.25 feet in diameter and 3,443 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
GREEN SPRINGS
- Project: Rogue River Basin
- 21 miles SE of Medford , Oregon
- 6.00 feet in diameter and 4,833 feet long
- Circular shape with feet of cover
Kingman Lateral
- Project: Owyhee 7/12/34
- 5 miles WSW of Adrian , Oregon
- 4.75 feet in diameter and 350 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 67 feet of cover
Klamath Main Canal
- Project: Klamath 12/29/05
- 1 miles NNE of Klamath Falls , Oregon
- 14.38 feet in diameter and 3,100 feet long
- Rectangular with shape with 112 feet of cover
North Canal No. 2
- Project: Owyhee 12/23/31
- 8 miles SW of Adrian , Oregon
- 14.00 feet in diameter and 489 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 42 feet of cover
North Canal No. 3
- Project: Owyhee 12/23/31
- 7 miles SW of Adrian , Oregon
- 14.00 feet in diameter and 13,330 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 90 feet of cover
North Canal No. 4
- Project: Owyhee 11/7/33
- 7 miles NW of Adrian , Oregon
- 11.75 feet in diameter and 1,990 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 76 feet of cover
Owyhee No. 1
- Project: Owyhee 3/11/30
- 9 miles SW of Adrian , Oregon
- 16.58 feet in diameter and 18,723 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 1200 feet of cover
Owyhee No. 5
- Project: Owyhee 3/11/30
- 6 miles SW of Adrian , Oregon
- 9.25 feet in diameter and 21,948 feet long
- 15,312 feet shape with 900 feet of cover
South Canal Tunnel No. 6
- Project: Owyhee 1/7/35
- 7 miles WNW of Homedale , Oregon
- 8.25 feet in diameter and 1,040 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 138 feet of cover
South Canal Tunnel No. 7
- Project: Owyhee 1/7/35
- 7 miles W of Homedale , Oregon
- 7.00 feet in diameter and 4,325 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 188 feet of cover
Vale No. 1
- Project: Vale 6/8/28
- 20 miles SW of Vale , Oregon
- 10.50 feet in diameter and 2,150 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 420 feet of cover
Vale No. 2
- Project: Vale 6/8/28
- 1 miles N of Namorf , Oregon
- 10.50 feet in diameter and 5,007 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 448 feet of cover
Vale No. 3
- Project: Vale 6/8/28
- 2 miles NE of Namorf , Oregon
- 10.50 feet in diameter and 1,312 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 106 feet of cover
Vale No. 4
- Project: Vale 6/14/29
- 13 miles WSW of Vale , Oregon
- 10.00 feet in diameter and 500 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 76 feet of cover
Vale No. 5
- Project: Vale 6/14/29
- 13 miles WSW of Vale , Oregon
- 10.00 feet in diameter and 546 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 66 feet of cover
Utah
ALPINE
- Project: Central Utah
- 8 miles NW of Provo , Utah
- 7.50 feet in diameter and 1,825 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 350 feet of cover
Alpine-Draper
- Project: Provo River 11/22/38
- 2 miles SSE of Draper , Utah
- 6.50 feet in diameter and 15,037 feet long
- 8,798 feet shape with feet of cover
CURRANT
- Project: Central Utah
- 39 miles W of Duchesne , Utah
- 10.33 feet in diameter and 9,131 feet long
- Circular shape with 100 feet of cover
Duchesne
- Project: Provo River 8/21/40
- 18 miles E of Kamas , Utah
- 9.25 feet in diameter and 31,651 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 2600 feet of cover
Ephraim
- Project: Sanpete 7/8/35
- 6 miles ESE of Ephraim , Utah
- 6.50 feet in diameter and 7,113 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 545 feet of cover
Gateway
- Project: Weber Basin 11/13/52
- 7 miles SE of Ogden , Utah
- 9.33 feet in diameter and 17,203 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
HADES
- Project: Central Utah
- 40 miles NW of Duchesne , Utah
- 8.25 feet in diameter and 22,149 feet long
- Circular shape with 2150 feet of cover
LAYOUT
- Project: Central Utah
- 37 miles W of Duchesne , Utah
- 10.33 feet in diameter and 17,355 feet long
- Circular shape with 120 feet of cover
Ogden Canyon
- Project: Ogden River
- 2 miles NW] of Ogden , Utah
- feet in diameter and feet long
- shape with feet of cover
Ogden-Brigham
- Project: Ogden River 4/18/35
- 2 miles N of Ogden , Utah
- 6.50 feet in diameter and 4,259 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Olmsted
- Project: Provo River 11/22/38
- 6 miles N of Provo , Utah
- 6.50 feet in diameter and 3,614 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
RHODES
- Project: Central Utah
- 40 miles NW of Duchesne , Utah
- 8.25 feet in diameter and 4,110 feet long
- Circular shape with 700 feet of cover
Salt Lake Aqueduct No. 1
- Project: Provo River 5/19/48
- 7 miles NE of Orem , Utah
- 6.50 feet in diameter and 994 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 132 feet of cover
Salt Lake Aqueduct No. 2
- Project: Provo River 5/19/48
- 7 miles NE of Orem , Utah
- 6.50 feet in diameter and 490 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 108 feet of cover
Salt Lake Aqueduct No. 3
- Project: Provo River 5/19/48
- 7 miles NE of Orem , Utah
- 6.50 feet in diameter and 2,550 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Soldier Creek Right Abutment Drainage
- Project: Central Utah
- 35 miles W of Duchesne , Utah
- 12.00 feet in diameter and 731 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 140 feet of cover
Spring City
- Project: Sanpete 9/21/37
- 12 miles NE of Ephraim , Utah
- 5.50 feet in diameter and 4,907 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
STARVATION
- Project: Central Utah
- 4 miles N of Duchesne , Utah
- 7.67 feet in diameter and 5,345 feet long
- Circular shape with 150 feet of cover
STILLWATER, COMPLETION CONTRACT
- Project: Central Utah
- 45 miles NW of Duchesne , Utah
- 8.25 feet in diameter and 28,579 feet long
- Circular shape with 2900 feet of cover
STILLWATER, INITIAL CONTRACT
- Project: Central Utah
- 45 miles NW of Duchesne , Utah
- 8.25 feet in diameter and 13,849 feet long
- Circular shape with 2700 feet of cover
Strawberry
- Project: Strawberry Valley
- 22 miles ESE of Provo , Utah
- 8.50 feet in diameter and 18,600 feet long
- Rectangular with shape with 1400 feet of cover
Strawberry Inlet Rehibition
- Project: Central Utah 10/20/81
- 22 miles E of Springville , Utah
- 10.75 feet in diameter and 2,435 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 185 feet of cover
VAT
- Project: Central Utah
- 46 miles NW of Duchesne , Utah
- 8.25 feet in diameter and 38,760 feet long
- Circular shape with 2400 feet of cover
WATER HOLLOW
- Project: Central Utah
- 27 miles SE of Heber City , Utah
- 10.33 feet in diameter and 21,582 feet long
- Circular shape with 1420 feet of cover
Washington
Bacon
- Project: Columbia Basin 4/30/46
- 1 miles S of Coulee City , Washington
- 23.25 feet in diameter and 10,037 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 215 feet of cover
BACON #2
- Project: Columbia Basin
- 1 miles S of Coulee City , Washington
- 28.50 feet in diameter and 9,950 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 260 feet of cover
Frenchman Hills
- Project: Columbia Basin 12/13/50
- 20 miles S of Quincy , Washington
- 14.00 feet in diameter and 9,280 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 390 feet of cover
North Branch Canal No. 1
- Project: Yakima 12/6/27
- 10 miles NW of Ellensburg , Washington
- 11.71 feet in diameter and 1,686 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 178 feet of cover
North Branch Canal No. 2
- Project: Yakima 12/6/27
- 10 miles NW of Ellensburg , Washington
- 11.71 feet in diameter and 1,025 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 116 feet of cover
North Branch Canal No. 3
- Project: Yakima 12/6/27
- 10 miles NW of Ellensburg , Washington
- 11.70 feet in diameter and 2,276 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 117 feet of cover
North Branch Canal No. 4
- Project: Yakima 8/9/29
- 7 miles N of Ellensburg , Washington
- 11.17 feet in diameter and 482 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 51 feet of cover
North Branch Canal No. 5
- Project: Yakima 4/16/30
- 12 miles ESE of Ellensburg , Washington
- 6.58 feet in diameter and 3,470 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 370 feet of cover
Rocky Point
- Project: Yakima 6/3/27
- 10 miles SE of Cle Elum , Washington
- 11.92 feet in diameter and 965 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Snow Lake
- Project: Columbia Basin 3/1/38
- 9 miles SW of Leavenworth , Washington
- 7.00 feet in diameter and 2,502 feet long
- Rectangular shape with feet of cover
South Branch Canal No. 1
- Project: Yakima 6/3/27
- 10 miles SE of Cle Elum , Washington
- 6.25 feet in diameter and 2,000 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 58 feet of cover
South Branch Canal No. 2
- Project: Yakima 8/7/28
- 8 miles WNW of Ellensburg , Washington
- 5.00 feet in diameter and 1,320 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 110 feet of cover
Under C.M.&ST.P.Ry.
- Project: Yakima 2/10/28
- 13 miles WNW of Cle Elum , Washington
- 12.25 feet in diameter and 179 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 21 feet of cover
Under Northern Pacific Ry.
- Project: Yakima 2/10/28
- 14 miles WNW of Cle Elum , Washington
- 12.25 feet in diameter and 305 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 33 feet of cover
Yakima Ridge Canal No. 1
- Project: Yakima 12/3/35
- 10 miles N of Yakima , Washington
- 17.58 feet in diameter and 8,180 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Yakima Ridge Canal No. 2
- Project: Yakima 12/3/35
- 9 miles NNE of Yakima , Washington
- 17.33 feet in diameter and 1,410 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Yakima Ridge Canal No. 3
- Project: Yakima 12/3/35
- 3 miles N of Yakima , Washington
- 17.33 feet in diameter and 9,650 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Yakima Ridge Canal No. 5
- Project: Yakima 2/9/38
- 9 miles SE of Yakima , Washington
- 13.75 feet in diameter and 3,988 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Yakima Ridge Canal No. 7
- Project: Yakima 12/8/38
- 12 miles SE of Yakima , Washington
- 13.25 feet in diameter and 755 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 83 feet of cover
Yakima Ridge Canal No. 8
- Project: Yakima 12/8/38
- 12 miles SE of Yakima , Washington
- 13.25 feet in diameter and 1,475 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 116 feet of cover
Yakima River Crossing
- Project: Yakima 3/5/29
- 9 miles SE of Cle Elum , Washington
- 9.25 feet in diameter and 3,640 feet long
- Circular shape with 330 feet of cover
Wyoming
Casper Canal No. 1
- Project: Kendrick 3/7/34
- 12 miles NW-W-SW of Casper , Wyoming
- 14.00 feet in diameter and 2,810 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 410 feet of cover
Casper Canal No. 2
- Project: Kendrick 3/7/34
- 12 miles NW-W-SW of Casper , Wyoming
- 14.00 feet in diameter and 4,400 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 440 feet of cover
Casper Canal No. 3
- Project: Kendrick 11/25/35
- 12 miles NW-W-SW of Casper , Wyoming
- 14.00 feet in diameter and 1,200 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 119 feet of cover
Casper Canal No. 4
- Project: Kendrick 11/25/35
- 12 miles NW-W-SW of Casper , Wyoming
- 14.00 feet in diameter and 2,000 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 129 feet of cover
Casper Canal No. 5
- Project: Kendrick 11/25/35
- 12 miles NW-W-SW of Casper , Wyoming
- 13.75 feet in diameter and 1,605 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 86 feet of cover
Casper Canal No. 6
- Project: Kendrick 11/25/35
- 12 miles NW-W-SW of Casper , Wyoming
- 13.75 feet in diameter and 5,460 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 220 feet of cover
Corbett
- Project: Shoshone 9/6/05
- 8 miles NE of Cody , Wyoming
- 11.50 feet in diameter and 17,355 feet long
- Non-standard shape with 90 feet of cover
Fort Laramie No. 1
- Project: North Platte 5/22/16
- 3 miles W of Fort Laramie , Wyoming
- 14.00 feet in diameter and 2,700 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Fort Laramie No. 2
- Project: North Plate 5/22/16
- 2 miles SE of Fort Laramie , Wyoming
- 14.00 feet in diameter and 2,150 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Fremont Canyon Access
- Project: Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin 5/22/56
- 35 miles SW of Casper , Wyoming
- 16.00 feet in diameter and 1,692 feet long
- Modified Horseshoe shape with 250 feet of cover
Fremont Canyon Power Conduit
- Project: Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin 1/3/57
- 35 miles SW of Casper , Wyoming
- 18.00 feet in diameter and 16,055 feet long
- Circular shape with 135 feet of cover
Heart Mountain No. 1
- Project: Shoshone 3/2/38
- 3 miles WSW of Cody , Wyoming
- 11.00 feet in diameter and 894 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 138 feet of cover
Heart Mountain No. 2
- Project: Shoshone 8/31/38
- 12 miles N of Cody , Wyoming
- 8.50 feet in diameter and 874 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 92 feet of cover
Riverton
- Project: Riverton 7/7/48
- 20 miles NE of Riverton , Wyoming
- 7.50 feet in diameter and 2,832 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Shoshone Canyon Conduit
- Project: Shoshone 12/5/35
- 6 miles WSW of Cody , Wyoming
- 12.00 feet in diameter and 13,786 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with feet of cover
Shoshone PP Access Road
- Project: Shoshone 12/29/49
- 8 miles WSW of Cody , Wyoming
- 13.00 feet in diameter and 184 feet long
- Rectangular with shape with feet of cover
Sluicing
- Project: Shoshone 9/6/05
- 8 miles NE of Cody , Wyoming
- feet in diameter and 335 feet long
- Horseshoe shape with 48 feet of cover
Executive Summary:
The Acknowledged Foundation — Bureau of Reclamation Tunnel Specifications Across the American West
This Bureau of Reclamation document catalogs hundreds of government-built tunnels across the western United States, organized by state, with specifications including project name, location, diameter (6 to 33 feet), length (224 to 68,810 feet), cross-section shape (circular, horseshoe, non-standard), and depth of cover (37 to 3,720 feet). States covered include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
The document demonstrates that American tunneling capability — in civilian, publicly funded infrastructure alone — has included multi-mile bores through mountain ranges at thousands of feet of depth since the 1930s. For the underground base researcher, these specifications establish the acknowledged baseline of government tunneling: everything classified sits above this floor.
As the data shows:
the 68,810-foot Alva B. Adams tunnel was completed in 1940 — meaning ten-mile underground tunnels were routine civilian engineering eighty years ago.
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