Dam and Levee Maintenance & Flood Prevention

Levees and dams serve the vital needs of our communities.  While providing valuable water for our homes, businesses and farms, they also protect our property, enhance our environment and provide places of recreation.  With all of these benefits also comes facility maintenance, and upkeep responsibilities.  Property owners and managers have seen increased and often complex new regulations on the construction and ownership of their waterways which can serve as a source of confusion, and potentially, significant cost. 

As severe weather continues to impact the Midwest, the importance of appropriately maintaining dams and levees takes on an even greater meaning. Whether it is waterfront property or the family farm; careful construction planning, preventative inspections and maintenance can provide the comfort of knowing that communities are safe from floodwaters. 

Two of the most effective forms of flood control are levees and dams.

Levees are most frequently identified as embankments along rivers which restrict water, protecting communities and expanses of agricultural lands during times of high flow.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are currently going through a map modernization process whereby communities are responsible for helping identify existing levee structures and their flood potential.  Data is then reported for inclusion on the FEMA Levee Inventory System.  Through this process, SKW can prepare a levee certification for local entities including municipalities, counties, levee boards and drainage districts. 

SKW also commonly performs design, certification, inspection and confirmation of the capacity of levee systems.  In addition to levee certification, our work has included drainage design, drainage rehabilitation, survey work, and United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) map revisions.

Dams are constructed as barriers to contain the flow of water.  They offer communities and property owners a multitude of benefits, particularly as sources for drinking water and recreation.  However, in many cases, older dam structures cannot meet the specifications outlined within new regulations.  Often times by working with the regulatory agency viable, documented solutions can be developed that do not adversely impact the safety of the structure. 

Our experience providing services for dam owners includes responding to findings on an inspection report, reacting to critical problems, design and permitting of new structures, conducting routine inspections of existing structure s, dam repairs (routine and emergency), Emergency Action Plans (EAP’s), and dam upgrades required for compliance with regulations.

For additional information regarding levee certification or dam services please contact Mike Hall, P.E. at 573-442-4537 or e-mail at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .