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Omaha District Continues to Deliver Innovative Solutions 90 Years On
from America's Engineers: The People, Programs, and Projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers '24-'25
This year the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District celebrates 90 years as the federal engineer of choice.
BY LISA CRAWFORD
NORTHWESTERN DIVISION Omaha District
Throughout the past nine decades, the district has consistently provided cost-effective and innovative engineering solutions to projects across multiple domains. This commitment endures today through numerous design, construction, and revitalization projects critical to national defense. Dedicated teams deliver civil works, environmental remediation, disaster response, and infrastructure expertise, and maintain crucial navigable waterways, allowing development through fair and flexible permit decisions. These efforts not only ensure the safety and resilience of our communities, but also support the economy by enhancing the nation’s infrastructure, facilitating efficient transportation and commerce, and attracting investment.
A critical district mission is operating and maintaining dams and reservoirs on the upper Missouri River and several of its tributaries. Through routine operations and maintenance work and rigorous dam safety inspections, teams are always looking for ways to ensure these projects are ready to serve their multiple authorized purposes, including reducing flood risk to thousands of people and to infrastructure downstream.
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“When gauging the breadth of innovation and modernization throughout the district, one recent project rises to the top as a solid example of our pioneering ingenuity,” said Col. Robert Newbauer, USACE Omaha District commander. “The application of real-time engineering solutions to improve the reliability of the Pipestem Dam spillway is evident today just outside Jamestown, North Dakota.”
The Omaha District Pipestem Dam and Reservoir operations often reduce impacts from flooding on people and property in Jamestown and farther downstream in the James River Basin. The discovery of highly erodible sands and gravel beneath the original uncontrolled spillway presented an unacceptable risk of erosion should releases be necessary to keep water from flowing over the dam embankment.
“A failure of the dam would result in catastrophic impacts to downstream communities,” said Sam Sobczyk, a civil engineer assigned to the project. “The Omaha District is acting now to improve the reliability of the spillway, and in support of the Dam Safety Program’s highest priority: life safety.”
The project delivery team estimated that downstream property damage from a spillway failure could exceed $450 million, along with the potential annual loss of $2 million in other dam and reservoir benefits, such as recreation and water supply. These economic impacts would significantly affect local livelihoods.
In response, the Omaha District is implementing innovative and distinctive improvements to the spillway’s design. The use of a concrete zigzag-patterned labyrinth weir, along with a stair-stepped chute, a stilling basin at the spillway end, and several new additional features, will collectively reduce the likelihood of erosion should the spillway experience significant flow from the Pipestem Reservoir.
“The Pipestem project delivery team has shown great dedication to delivering the project as efficiently as possible by implementing complex engineering solutions and testing those combinations with detailed physical and numerical modeling,” Sobczyk said. “The project team has maintained that creativity throughout construction and has stayed dedicated to delivering risk mitigation measures at Pipestem as quickly as possible, no matter the challenges faced.”
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The spillway modification, projected to cost $200 million, will increase the reliability of the spillway and improve the stability of slopes located along or near the spillway. The project broke ground in May 2023, and is expected to be completed by the summer of 2026.
“Without question, the team’s unparalleled approach to designing and implementing innovative solutions exemplifies the district’s unwavering commitment to reducing flood risks in our region. Their work has the potential to create lasting impacts not only across the nation but around the world,” Newbauer said. “This stands as a powerful testament that the spirit of ‘Essayons,’ meaning ‘Let us try,’ is vibrant and enduring within the district, promising to thrive for the next 90 years and beyond.” AE
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