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Rebuilding a Failed Dam for Safety and Water Intake  

August 22, 2024

Historical structures don’t always stand the test of time, so when a dangerous 100-year-old dam collapsed, modern solutions for public safety and water supply were in desperate need. Learn how V3’s water engineers helped create the White River Rock Ramp to address safety concerns and restore a more natural waterway.

Trouble on the White River

Indianapolis’s Emrichsville Dam was built in 1899 to create Lake Indy, adjacent to Riverside Park. As part of the White River—a 362 ft.-long waterway winding through Indiana—the dam wasn’t conceived as a flood control tool, but it did provide the depth of water required to support emergency water intake for the City’s water utility, Citizens Energy Group.

The century-old structure was a low-head dam, which creates known dangers for people utilizing river recreation. While the relatively low drop may appear benign, this design churns water at a turbulent rate, with strong currents that can quickly roll swimmers over and trap them underwater. The dam has caused several injuries and deaths over the years. In addition, this type of dam prevents wildlife from traversing upstream, restricting their natural reproduction cycles and biodiversity.

In October 2018, the Emrichsville Dam collapsed. Rather than rebuild a hazardous structure, the City engaged an expert team to find a better solution for all.

Bringing new life to a historical site

V3 was part of the consultant team tasked with selecting the Emrichsville Dam’s replacement site. Six potential locations for the new dam were analyzed and evaluated using a site selection matrix.

Criteria for the final site selection included:

  • Ability to meet intake requirements
  • Public safety
  • Cost
  • Constructability
  • Environmental, cultural, and historic impacts
  • Recreational activity opportunities

Once a new site was selected up river, the team proposed an arched rock rapids dam design.  The design used nearly 400 5-ton boulders to create a series of riffle pools to slowly drop the water elevation from upstream to downstream over several hundred feet, which allows for safe recreational opportunities as well as the passage of fish.  The project also included repairs to the existing upstream boat ramp and a permanent portage trail to allow alternate passage for watercraft.

V3 assisted in the permitting as well as design of this two-acre, rock arch rapids in the White River which restored river water levels above the local water utility intake to the nearby Central Canal.

While the White River still experiences safety concerns due to other outdated structures upstream, creating this natural rock river dam was an important step forward in protecting the community and boosting river functionality.

“This project allowed me and our team the opportunity to collaborate with renowned experts to find the best possible solution for the White River. It was incredibly rewarding to combine so many different specialties to bring this plan to fruition.”

Teddy Blahnik, Indianapolis Technical Director of Ecological Engineering

Work with V3’s water experts

Our innovative, multidisciplinary team delivers sustainable solutions that solve local challenges and create resilient environments. Connect with us to learn more.

Category: Water, Indianapolis, Projects

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