Clearwater Dam Major Rehabilitation Project (Phase 1)

PIEDMONT, Mo., May 30 – The first phase of the Clearwater Dam Major Rehabilitation Project is underway. The contract for this phase the project was awarded to ACT (Advanced Construction Techniques), which in turn sub-contracted part of the work to Quadri Construction Company of Ellsinore, Mo. Phase one is expected to take about one year to complete.

The initial work consists of clearing and grubbing trees and brush in the work area. Then a 30 foot wide work bench about 4,000 feet long will be constructed of crushed rock on the north face of the dam. The work bench will provide a level work area for ACT’s drill rigs to travel the full length of the dam during the drilling and grouting that will follow.
Several drill rigs will be necessary. Once a hole is drilled, grout (a cement mixture) will be pumped in. The grout will help stabilize the area for the new concrete cut off wall that will be installed in the second phase of work. The grout fills voids that may exist in the ground and bedrock below the dam.

Construction of the work bench will start on the west end of the dam and proceed the full length of the dam. Several dump trucks will be needed to haul in the material, so if you are traveling in the area please use extreme caution and watch out for trucks entering and exiting the work area.

Phase two of the project is expected to start as soon as phase one is completed. This phase will consist of the actual concrete cut off wall being installed. Completion of the entire project is expected to take about five years.

With summer upon us and many visitors in the area, please be careful while visiting the lake. As always, your safety is our number one concern. If you have questions concerning the major rehab project visit http://www.swl.usace.army.mil/projmgt/cwmajorrehab.html.

To make advanced camping and shelter reservations, call Reserve America at 1-877-444-6777. Reservations can also be made on the Internet at www.ReserveUSA.com.

For more information about water levels and recreation at Clearwater, write the Corps at RR 3 Box 3559-D, Piedmont, MO 63957, or call 573-223-7777. General Lake information is on the Internet at www.swl.usace.army.mil/parks/clearwater.

For the forecast on Black River conditions check the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/forecast/tributaries/status_black.shtml.