ProjectBig Bay Lake Dam Reconstruction
Client:
Land Partners, LP
Service Area:
Lumberton, MS
Professional Services Provided:
Stormwater and Flood Control, Hydrology and Hydraulics, Dams and Levees
Construction Budget:
$6.2 Million
Description:
It was a disaster. After spring rains in March 2004, the earthen dam holding back nearly three miles of water at Big Bay Lake, Mississippi’s largest privately-held lake, failed. Out of the hole poured 147,000 cubic-feet of water per second, damaging or destroying 104 structures — but thankfully taking no lives — as the flood sought out the Pearl River a dozen miles away. Land Partners, LP, put together a team to rebuild and reinforce the dam, with Dungan Engineering in charge of overseeing the $6.2 million project. The 3,000-foot levee was raised up, re-sloped and reinforced with rip-rap, while a new drainage system and concrete outlet culvert were built to drain carefully into a concrete-reinforced basin on the south side of the dam.