By Julie Johansen
Following a stormy weekend during the beginning of May, cracks in the concrete were found that allowed moisture to go through the walls of the outlet structure as well as the walls and floor of the spillway at Millsite Dam. Upon inspection and evaluation, it was determined that a lack of rebar in the concrete was allowing this seepage. Temperature and shrinkage necessitated more steel in the concrete. Phase one in the construction delay included what to do to correct the problem. This affected the areas needing back fill, so construction was halted.
Phase two included brushing a waterproof coating, Xypex, on the affected areas, which filled the cracks and crystallized, penetrating the concrete and making the areas watertight. Phase three then considered how to improve the next concrete pours to correct this problem. The redesign of the structure included more steel in the concrete structures. The project became idle for nearly one month.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) officials, with concrete expertise, came from Ft. Worth, Texas to evaluate and inspect the situation. As with all government jobs, this resolution is now waiting for a stamp of approval from headquarters. Concrete work will begin again as soon as permission is granted.
The outlet works are being backfilled so that the dam can be built up again. Following the initial sand footings, shouldering machines are being used to layer coarse gravel, sand, gravel and more sand. Over 700,000 cubic yards of fill material will be used to rebuild the dam.
The construction crew, numbering a little over 50, are now working two shifts, 24 hours per day, six days per week. The bridge permitting golfers to the front nine should be reinstalled around the middle of July following nearly two weeks of backfill against the cement walls when they are completed.
