The Missouri River Planning Advances Sweet SWC Staff Members
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The Water Resources Board, which Sweetbriar Creek Dam needs repairs inlet repair be included in the bid consists of Burleigh, Oliver, Morton, package for the interstate highway Mercer, and McLean counties, In April, 2002, a failure was Construction Manager, Brad Benson. project scheduled for 2003 on the announced that they will be moving discovered with the concrete inlet at westbound lanes. The North Dakota ahead with the next phase of the Sweetbriar Creek Dam by a North The preliminary design of the Department of Transportation will coordinated resource management Dakota Department of Transportation repair was completed by the NDSWC already be working on the portion of plan for the Garrison reach of the (NDDOT) worker. The Head of the in mid-May. The design included Interstate #94 that functions as Missouri River. Beginning this Construction Section and Dam Safety sawing off the bad sections of con- Sweetbriar Creek Dam in 2002 and FROM THE NORTH DAKOTA STATE WATER COMMISSION summer, the BOMM Board intends Team from the North Dakota State crete and replacing it with 24-inch 2003. The eastbound lanes are cur- to first develop a conceptual plan, Water Commission (NDSWC) thick concrete where the most expo- rently being reconstructed and the Missouri River planning advances which would address policy and inspected the structure on April 18, sure to future ice presssure will occur. westbound lanes will be reconstructed framework issues; eventually to be 2002, and May 2, 2002, and found Another 12 inches of concrete were in 2003. The Garrison reach of the Mis- historic preservation, and a host of used in the development of a full that a large crack had formed across also figured in to the existing sides of souri River has been in the spotlight others have contributed to this comprehensive plan. the entire face of the inlet over the the inlet. Thus, making all portions of “We were a bit concerned that two for years due to disagreements complex management scenario. winter. It was determined that the the inlet more capable of withstanding separate contractors working in the among interested parties over how At the conclusion of this effort, failure was likely caused by ice pressure from ice in the future. same area, one on the highway and the the land and water resources of that In response, a Missouri River the Missouri River planning group is pressure on the 12-inch thick con- other on the dam repair, could cause 87-mile stretch should be best Vision Group was created in 1999 to hopeful that they will have achieved crete. Water was shooting out of the A meeting was held in the end of difficulties with schedules. Therefore, managed. Discussions over land use seek consensus among all parties their vision – “To recommend long- crack as some shifting of the concrete May to discuss the repair project. it was determined that one contractor and riparian development have been with an interest in the management term strategies for the management had taken place due to ice pressure. Agencies represented at the meeting should perform both the highway and in the forefront of this debate. of this stretch of the Missouri. Since and protection of the Garrison reach included the NDSWC, the NDDOT, dam repairs,” said Benson. We Although, issues such as aquatic 1999, much progress has been made. of the Missouri River so that its “It doesn’t appear that an immedi- the North Dakota Game and Fish decided that the overall project should habit, riverbank erosion, endangered values and functions are sustained ate repair is necessary, but we do Department, the Morton County include the inlet repair in the highway species, floodplain management, In May, 2002, the BOMMM Joint through the generations.” ■ want to get the repair work started as Water Resource District, and the bid package, but with a separate set of soon as possible to avoid further Morton County Park Board. It was plans and separate line items for the complications,” said the NDSWC’s suggested by the NDDOT that the inlet repair,” Benson continued. SWC staff members participate in Walk for Life A new low level system involving Several members of the State coring the concrete in the inlet will Water Commission staff participated also be installed as part of the bid in the 10th annual American Cancer package. The current riparian outlet Society Walk for Life in Bismarck. has a valve on the downstream side of The event was held at a local middle the dam which causes the pipe to be school track from 6 p.m. June 1 until filled with water under pressure. 6 a.m. the following morning. The Having a pressurized pipe running idea was to have at least one member through a dam embankment is not a of every team on the track walking or favorable situation, so a new low level running at all times during the 12- system will be installed and the old hour event. Aside from a short 15 system grouted shut. minute break to escape a lightening storm, members of the SWC team The new low level system will walked for the entire event— though involve the coring of two holes in the a few got a bit wet from passing rain drop inlet and the installation of showers. ductile iron fittings, a control valve, and a high density polyethylene pipe The event has become well running out to the bottom of the known for its use of candle-lit Front row: Dawn Feist, Michael Hove, Sarah Ripley, Rosemary Pedersen, Royce Cline, Paul Sweetbriar Creek Dam's concrete inlet. reservoir. The new low level system luminary bags, which completely Moen, Brenda Hove. Back row: Jim Lindseth, Tim Freije, Pat Fridgen, Dave Ripley, Jason Boyle. Inset shows the cracking damage caused will allow the less oxygenated water surround the walking track— light- by ice pressure. to be discharged downstream at ing the way for walkers at night. The The SWC Walk for Life Team Funds raised at the event will appropriate times of the year, thus bags are typically adorned with the was able to raise $773 for the event, enable the American Cancer Society North Dakota State Water Commission freshening the reservoir. It will also names of individuals who have either and in total, the 60 participating to expand services in the area to Dale L. Frink, State Engineer serve to honor downstream water 900 East Boulevard • Bismarck, ND 58505 • (701)328-2750 won or lost a battle with cancer, or teams raised over $45,000. Addi- cancer patients and their families, to http: //www.swc.state.nd.us/ rights, which was the function of the are battling with it at the time of the tional contributions were also taken offer more educational programs to Patrick Fridgen, Editor old riparian outlet. The inlet repair is event. The bags are sold as part of in from local businesses, conces- help reduce the risk of getting cancer, The State Water Commission does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national estimated to cost about $75,000 and the fund-raising efforts for the event. sions, and a silent auction. and to expand cancer research. ■ origin, sex, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services. the low level system about $30,000. ■ 16 North Dakota Water ■ July 2002 North Dakota Water ■ July 2002 17 The Water Resources Board, which Sweetbriar Creek Dam needs repairs inlet repair be included in the bid consists of Burleigh, Oliver, Morton, package for the interstate highway Mercer, and McLean counties, In April, 2002, a failure was Construction Manager, Brad Benson. project scheduled for 2003 on the announced that they will be moving discovered with the concrete inlet at westbound lanes. The North Dakota ahead with the next phase of the Sweetbriar Creek Dam by a North The preliminary design of the Department of Transportation will coordinated resource management Dakota Department of Transportation repair was completed by the NDSWC already be working on the portion of plan for the Garrison reach of the (NDDOT) worker. The Head of the in mid-May. The design included Interstate #94 that functions as Missouri River. Beginning this Construction Section and Dam Safety sawing off the bad sections of con- Sweetbriar Creek Dam in 2002 and FROM THE NORTH DAKOTA STATE WATER COMMISSION summer, the BOMM Board intends Team from the North Dakota State crete and replacing it with 24-inch 2003. The eastbound lanes are cur- to first develop a conceptual plan, Water Commission (NDSWC) thick concrete where the most expo- rently being reconstructed and the Missouri River planning advances which would address policy and inspected the structure on April 18, sure to future ice presssure will occur. westbound lanes will be reconstructed framework issues; eventually to be 2002, and May 2, 2002, and found Another 12 inches of concrete were in 2003. The Garrison reach of the Mis- historic preservation, and a host of used in the development of a full that a large crack had formed across also figured in to the existing sides of souri River has been in the spotlight others have contributed to this comprehensive plan. the entire face of the inlet over the the inlet. Thus, making all portions of “We were a bit concerned that two for years due to disagreements complex management scenario. winter. It was determined that the the inlet more capable of withstanding separate contractors working in the among interested parties over how At the conclusion of this effort, failure was likely caused by ice pressure from ice in the future. same area, one on the highway and the the land and water resources of that In response, a Missouri River the Missouri River planning group is pressure on the 12-inch thick con- other on the dam repair, could cause 87-mile stretch should be best Vision Group was created in 1999 to hopeful that they will have achieved crete.