Emergency repairs underway at Lock and Dam 25 in Winfield, Mo.

Published Dec. 4, 2014

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District is conducting emergency repairs to the overflow dike of Lock and Dam 25 near Winfield, Mo.

Recent surveys revealed extensive scouring along the overflow dike on the Illinois side of the dam where the river flows during floods. Scour is a type of erosion that occurs when the force of water carries sediment away, leaving deepened areas along the structure. While there is no immediate threat to public safety, failure of the overflow dike would eliminate the pool of water that provides a navigable channel for barge traffic on the Mississippi River.

Emergency repairs were authorized to prevent a possible failure during flood season that could result in navigation channel closures.  The St. Louis District is making repairs while weather conditions allow access to the site. 

Initial stabilization efforts were performed by the Corps’ Dredge Potter using flexible dredge pipe and the spill barge Thomas N. George, which was dedicated into service earlier this year. The Potter dredged and placed approximately 100,000 cubic yards of material to fill in the scour areas with sediment dredged from the river. 

Partner agencies (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State of Missouri & State of Illinois) have worked closely with the Corps on this project to identify and avoid any environmental concerns.  An Environmental Assessment to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act has been prepared and is available for public viewing and comment at: http://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Missions/ProgramsProjectManagement/PlansReports.aspx

“The next step in the repair is to place rock along the river side of the dike, followed by larger rock on the land side,” said Mike Rodgers, project manager with the St. Louis District Corps of Engineers. 

Rock work proposals are under review and expected to be awarded Dec. 5. Weather permitting, all rock work is expected to be complete by late January.

Lock and Dam 25 connects the Upper Mississippi River to the world’s largest inland transportation system.  The lock was built in 1939, and moved an average of more than 20 million tons of goods each year in the past three years.


Contact
Mike Petersen
314-441-8002
michael.w.petersen@usace.army.mil

Release no. 14-090