Due to the cyclic operation of watering and unwatering of the upstream gate at Ice Harbor Dam and Lower Monumental Dam, the gates experienced metal fatigue in the form of cracks developing in areas (across the upper and/or lower flanges). These gates needed fixes in place the spring of 2002 that were reliable for five years to allow time for a reliability analysis to be performed and, if needed, plans and specifications to be compiled for construction.

Tetra Tech INCA prepared a concept design report examining, from an engineering and cost perspective, various alternatives for refurbishing the upstream gate repairs at Ice Harbor Dan and Lower Monumental Dam. INCA compared the alternatives to the option of doing no refurbishing. The concept design report identified and examined, to a feasibility level, each option.