Dams Portfolio

In April of 2019, flooding at the Homme Dam, owned and operated by Lutheran Social Services, resulted in overtopping of the dam embankment.  Flood waters overtopped the embankment near the gated spillway preventing operation of the gates, resulting in further flooding.  As a result, the right side embankment was completely washed out.  Fortunately, an existing concrete cutoff wall prevented failure of the dam during this event.  The wash-out did, however expose deteriorated concrete below the embankment surface. Becher Hoppe assisted with concrete repair plans and design of a new auxiliary spillway designed to divert high flow flooding event away from the dam spillway and embankments. Construction cost for repairs was $65,000 and $25,000 for the new graded auxiliary spillway.