Grand Prairie substation completed eight months early
Milestone project boosts Arkansas irrigation system and water security as power substation nears readiness for 2026 pumping operations.
USA, Arkansas, DeValls Bluff: In June, the White River Irrigation District (WRID), alongside the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and US Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District, marked the early completion of the Grand Prairie substation in DeValls Bluff, Arkansas, eight months ahead of schedule.
Set atop a 8,000-m2 (two-acre) pad above the 100-year floodplain, the substation includes two 33 MVA transformers supplied by a 115 kV transmission line. It will power the Grand Prairie Pumping Station, a vital element of the Grand Prairie Area Demonstration Project (GPADP), which aims to supply sustainable surface water to irrigate 1,000 km2 (250,000 acres) in the region.
This early delivery places the WRID closer to realising water delivery by spring 2026. The SCADA-controlled substation enables reliable, real-time operations and is key to reducing dependence on local aquifers, preserving groundwater for future needs.
WRID Board President Dan Hooks and Director Dennis Carman highlighted the long journey from concept in 1980 to today’s visible progress. Entergy, praised for executing the project ahead of schedule, reaffirmed its commitment to regional development.
State officials view the project as essential to securing Arkansas’ $24 B agricultural sector, helping ensure long-term water access for over 2,000 km2 (half a million acres) when combined with the Bayou Meto project.
“This is a game-changer,” said Chris Colclasure of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. “We are leading the way in sustainable water solutions for agriculture.”
Source: Stuttgart Daily Leader
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