JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be holding a community open house regarding continued work on the Pipestem Dam Spillway Nov. 1.
The information open house will provide the latest on Pipestem Dam’s role in reducing flood risk, the purpose and details of the spillway modification project, and what you can do to prepare for a flood at anytime.
Pipestem Dam was constructed for flood damage reduction, fish and wildlife enhancement, and recreation. Construction of the dam began in June 1971, and was completed in 1973.
The dam measures approximately 4,000 feet in length, with a maximum height of 107.5 feet from the stream bed to the top of the dam. Also nearby is the Jamestown Dam and Reservoir, which is operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
The project received $136.5 million to build a concrete terminal structure on the downstream end of Pipestem Creek and fill eroded areas in with concrete. The funding was in addition to $40 million the Corps of Engineers received last year to initiate construction. Construction of a modified spillway and new additional features in the spillway area will reduce the likelihood of erosion should the spillway experience significant flow from the Pipestem Reservoir.
“The reconstruction of the Pipestem spillway maintains our commitment to help reduce flood risk and brings engineering solutions to conditions that could compromise the spillway’s reliability under extreme conditions,” Jeremy Thury, Pipestem Dam and Reservoir project manager said.
Thury explained that the level of flood risk reduction for the downstream community from the dam will remain the same, but this work provides a reminder that while dams reduce risks to public safety and property from floods, dams cannot fully eliminate these risks. Even while the region is experiencing drier than normal conditions, it is always a good time to prepare for flooding.
The information open house will be held at the Jamestown High School from 6-8 PM and is open to the public. An overview presentation will be held at 6:15 PM.