| Civil works


MWI Pumps powers safe dam removal


MWI Pumps partnered with Water Management Solutions to provide a 1300ft3 /sec bypass system


that safely redirected stormwater during the decommissioning of a high-risk dam. The efficient operation, featuring 10 Hydraflo™ pumps, ensured smooth dam removal and protected the construction site, paving the way for the transformation of the area into a wetlands park


IN VIRGINIA, A COLLEGE nestled in a valley with a 20-acre lake faced a significant challenge due to the aging infrastructure of its dam. In 2018, severe rainfall caused the lake to rise dramatically. The dam, which held the lake in place, and its valve system failed, leading to near-catastrophic flooding. A seized valve prevented the lake from draining, forcing water over the earthen dam and putting residents downstream at serious risk. This incident highlighted the dam’s deficiencies, leading to a decision by the city to investigate whether the dam should be repaired, replaced, or decommissioned. A study classified the dam as high-risk, largely due to urban development around the lake that increased stormwater runoff. Eventually, the city determined that decommissioning the dam and transforming the area into a wetland park would be the best solution to mitigate future flood risks and meet regulatory requirements.


Highlights Dam Removal: The dam removal was


completed in just four days with crews working around the clock, significantly ahead of the city’s projected timeline Pump Efficiency: MWI Pumps provided a total of 580,000 GPM through its bypass system, ensuring that stormwater was controlled and that the construction site remained safe


Infrastructure Improvements: The lake was drained and replaced by a wetlands park, and a new weir/dyke system was constructed to safely handle future stormwater flow Coordination and Logistics: MWI Pumps coordinated the delivery and staging of equipment to optimize space at the job site, maintaining workflow efficiency Reliable Equipment: MWI Pumps delivered 10 Hydraflo™ 42” pumps and 2 Hydraflo™ 24” pumps, with additional equipment, ensuring the bypass system functioned seamlessly


Solution To address the dam removal, the city first relocated


the road that previously ran over the dam and built a new bridge adjacent to the college lake. Once the new road and bridge were completed, the city contracted Water Management Solutions, Inc. (WMS) and English Construction to remove the dam and implement stormwater controls. WMS collaborated with MWI Pumps to install, test, and operate a 1300ft3


/sec temporary pump


station bypass system, which moved 580,000 gallons per minute. This bypass system allowed the safe removal of the dam, mitigated the risk of flooding, and protected the construction site during the dam’s decommissioning. The solution involved draining the 20-acre lake


and building a new weir/dyke system to safely redirect stormwater through a new wetlands park and under the newly constructed bridge. WMS designed the system, completed the installation, and oversaw operations throughout the breaching of the College Lake Dam. The system included: 10 MWI Hydraflo™ 42” pumps with 4200D drive units capable of moving up to 55,000 GPM per pump; 2 MWI Hydraflo™ 24” pumps driven by 2 2400D drive units; and three 12-inch sound-attenuated end suction pumps with floating suctions to facilitate the initial lake drawdown and minimize sediment transport during the dam breaching. The setup also included 3000ft of steel and HDPE pipe to redirect water and prevent downstream erosion.


“MWI Pumps worked hand in hand with WMS to provide what the customer needed at the precise time they needed it. The jobsite had a small footprint, so MWI provided expert-level logistics by staggering the arrival of pumps and equipment, allowing them to be arranged before the next scheduled delivery. This coordination kept the jobsite moving efficiently and the water flowing without slowing down the project.” Water Management Solutions, Inc.


www.waterpowermagazine.com | October 2024 | 35


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49