Lepper Dam

Environmental, Municipal, Natural Resources, Power & Energy | Wisconsin | Back

Challenge

The Village of Menomonee Falls contracted Kapur to provide a variety of services to help protect the dam located off Main Street (STH 74). This dam has a very rich and meaningful history to this community. Dam structures can be costly to maintain if not properly managed, so it is important for dam owners to keep up with necessary efforts as needed. The village turned to Kapur to help protect this community asset.

Solution

Kapur collaborated with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and the village to develop an Operation and Maintenance Plan and an Emergency Action Plan. Kapur completed an inspection of the larger structural components of the dam including the dam structure, spillway, dam gates, upstream impoundment area, and downstream areas within the Menomonee River. Improvements were recommended and completed by the contractor with a minimum of disturbance to the surrounding community.

Services Provided

  • Hydraulic analysis
  • Dam failure analysis
  • Visual dam structure analysis, report, and follow-up inspections
  • Agency coordination
  • Permitting
  • Sediment analysis
  • Topographic survey
  • Rare species review
  • Wetland and waterway evaluation

Industries Covered

  • Municipal
  • Environmental
  • Natural Resources
  • Power & Energy

Results

Kapur and the village realized there was an opportunity to make water quantity and quality improvements to Mill Pond, which is impounded by the dam. Kapur worked with the village to conduct sediment sampling, provided engineering plans, and obtained necessary WDNR and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits to allow for the removal of sediment buildup behind the dam. Mill Pond was drawn down and dredged over the winter months, which helped minimize impacts to residents and natural resources and help save on overall costs. Winter construction helped improve access to the site as well as materials management because both the ground and sediment were frozen.

This complicated project was well managed by ensuring regular communication by all project stakeholders, meeting or exceeding project deadlines, and providing cost-feasible options for long-term solutions to maintain the integrity of the dam structure. These solutions will help the village monitor and maintain the dam and Mill Pond, which are focal points within the village, for many years to come.