The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is pleased to announce the addition of a link to its webpage dedicated to the Stoplog Construction Project at Harlan County Lake. This page will provide current, up to date information on the project which will include construction progress, photographs, historical timelines, and current press release information. “This is an important resource for the public to obtain accurate information,” stated Jim Bowen, Operations Project Manager, Harlan County Lake. “The public should reference this information to keep up to date with construction activities which could impact Harlan County residents and visitors to Harlan County Lake and reduce rumors.”
One of the rumors which has persisted is that Harlan County Lake has been lowered to its current elevation for construction activities. “The lowering of the lake level has no connection to construction activities," Bowen said.
The Isometric Spillway and Bridge view to the left provides a visual of what the stoplogs will look like in place. The stoplogs will slide into guides that can temporarily bolt to the bullnose section of the dam between each tainter gate. Once in place, these stoplog structures will prevent lakewater from reaching the tainter gates and allow workers to service each gate individually.
BCI Construction of Belleville, Ill has been awarded the contract for the Stoplog Construction Project. BCI will close one lane of the dam bridge for about ¼ mile during the entire duration of the onsite construction activities. The open lane will be restricted to vehicles 8’ wide or less. BCI will install timed traffic stoplights on both ends of the spillway bridge. These lights will be monitored to make adjustments to the timing if needed based on traffic flow and the length of time it takes traffic to clear the one lane area. BCI also plans to have periods of complete bridge closures throughout the project at various times. BCI and the Corps of Engineers will work closely to ensure the public is given as much information in advance regarding these complete closure periods as possible. Both BCI and the Corps of Engineers hope that through open communication, the impact of the road closures to residents and visitors can be minimized. For further information, visit the Corps of Engineers website at http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/DistrictLakes/HarlanCountyLake.aspx or call the Harlan County Lake Project Office at 308-799-2105.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers encourages you to visit this website frequently to check for updates and accurate information.
Current Update
Contract awarded for Harlan County Dam repair (Press Release#PA-2014-47
KANSAS CITY, Mo.— The Kansas City District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a contract on September 5, 2014, to OCCI, Inc., from Fulton, Mo., in the amount of $12.3 million for gate repairs at Harlan County Dam in Nebraska.
All 18 spillway Tainter gates have been restricted due to issues with the bearings, strut arms, lifting chains, and electrical controls. The Harlan County Dam is currently operating under an interim operating plan that has reduced the flood control pool by 54 percent. The much needed repairs will allow the project to return to normal operations during floods.
Stoplogs will be deployed during the construction so that the repairs can be made without lowering the lake level. The Corps of Engineers will not lower the lake water level for the purpose of making repairs to the gates. The construction is expected to take three and one half years. Some lane closures on the road across the dam will be necessary during the repairs. Lane closures will be minimized especially during the high traffic summer weekends.
For questions, please contact the Public Affairs Office at (816) 389-3486.
Dive operations underway at Harlan County Dam (Press Release #PA-2014-30)
REPUBLICAN CITY, Neb.,— The Kansas City District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ is scheduled to perform dive operations June 25 to remove construction debris from the lake which occurred during strong wind storms June 14-15.
A high wind storm and associated wave action destroyed the temporary construction work platform used to install anchors on the dam. The temporary construction platform is now at the bottom of the lake in front of the interior sluice gates used for normal lake releases.
Dive operations will begin with clearing one gateway so normal water releases can be made as soon and as safely as possible. The dive operation could last for several weeks due to the low visibility of the lake, the amount of metal debris, and the dismantling and removal of the debris below the water surface.
Maintenance work, which included installing anchors on the face of the dam, was impacted from the storms. The anchors allow stoplogs to be deployed so repairs to the Tainter spillway gates can be made without lowering the lake level. The Tainter gates are primarily used to make large flood releases when the lake level is high.
The Corps of Engineers has not been able to make normal releases as requested by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for downstream irrigation purposes due to concerns about damaging the outlet works and the uncertainty of gate reclosure. The Corps is currently releasing approximately 36 cubic feet of water per second through a low flow by-pass, and 300 cfs has been requested.
The road across the dam will continue to have an 8-foot-6-inch wide lane restriction in place through the Fourth of July weekend as work to remove the debris continues. For questions, please contact the Public Affairs Office at (816) 389-3486.
Lanes across dam to be opened for Memorial Day weekend (Press Release #PA-2014-19)
REPUBLICAN CITY, Neb.—The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Harlan County Lake is planning to open both lanes of traffic across the Harlan County Dam for the 2014 Memorial Day Weekend.
During the afternoon of Thursday, May 22, traffic control barriers and signage will be taken down and stoplights will be turned off. These traffic control structures will be put back in place on Wednesday, May 28, at which time drivers should anticipate delays due to the construction activities.
"BCI construction will cease operations of the Stoplog Construction Project from May 22, 2014, thru May 27, 2014," said Jim Bowen, operations project manager at Harlan County Lake.
Due to the stoppage of construction activities, traffic control structures are not needed. "The contractor will resume construction activities on May 28, 2014, and the southbound lane will once again be closed," said Bowen.
The public should be aware that delays and closures will take place as construction progresses. "The contractor and the Corps of Engineers is aware that closures of the dam impacts the public and are working to minimize the closures," said Bowen.
Information regarding construction activities can be obtained at www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/DistrictLakes/HarlanCountyLake.aspx.
Corps to close dam to traffic March 18, 2014 (Press Release #PA-2014-14)
REPUBLICAN CITY, Neb.— The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Harlan County Lake is preparing for a closure of the dam to traffic sometime between March 24 and April 4 due to work on the tainter gates.
It is anticipated that the closure will only be during working hours and open during the evenings.
“The closure is needed for the operation of the crane to position work platforms on the lake side of the dam,” said Jim Bowen, operations project manager at Harlan County Lake.
Due to weather conditions and the type of work performed, the closure is anticipated to occur sometime between March 24 and April 4.
“The contractor needs calm winds and stable weather conditions to perform this work. The work itself will only take approximately two days, but the weather will play a role in the timing and duration of the closure,” said Bowen.
The public should be aware that delays and closures will take place as construction progresses. “The contractor and the Corps of Engineers is aware that closures of the dam impacts the public and are working to minimize the closures,” said Bowen.
Information regarding construction activities can be obtained at www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/DistrictLakes/HarlanCountyLake.aspx.
22-Feb-14
BCI Construction of Belleville, Ill., has begun the Stoplog Construction Project on Harlan County Dam. Beginning March 5, 2014, BCI will close one lane of the dam bridge for about ¼ mile during the entire duration of the onsite construction activities. The open lane will be restricted to vehicles 8’ wide or less. BCI will install timed traffic stoplights on both ends of the spillway bridge. These lights will be monitored to make adjustments to the timing if needed based on traffic flow and the length of time it takes traffic to clear the one lane area.
BCI also plans to have periods of complete bridge closures throughout the project at various times. BCI and the Corps of Engineers will work closely to ensure the public is given as much information in advance regarding these complete closure periods as possible. Both BCI and the Corps of Engineers hope that through open communication, the impact of the road closures to residents and visitors can be minimized. For further information, visit the Corps of Engineers website at http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/DistrictLakes/HarlanCountyLake.aspx or call the Harlan County Lake Project Office at 308-799-2105.