Corps’ Vicksburg District Awards Columbia Lock and Dam Contract

VICKSBURG, Miss.— The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Vicksburg District has awarded an emergency repair contract to Massman Construction Co. of Leawood, Kansas, for construction and repairs of the Columbia Lock and Dam located on the Ouachita River approximately seven miles upstream of Columbia, Louisiana.   

The contract base amount is $9,854,000, with a total value of $10,959,475, including options to address the emergency seepage repairs at Columbia Lock and Dam.  Major features of the work will include stone protection; sheet piling installation; grouting of scour holes; relief wells; foundation repairs; construction of concrete lock chamber blocks; and site monitoring. The contractor is immediately beginning procurement of materials, submittal of necessary pre-work plans, preparing/mobilizing equipment and other actions necessary to begin work.  Work is anticipated to begin by the end of the month with a scheduled completion of repairs by Dec. 30, 2018.

Columbia Lock and Dam will remain closed to traffic until emergency repairs can be made. In addition, the water levels within the pool have been lowered three feet to date to relieve some of the pressures on the lock structure.  At this time there are no plans to lower the current pool levels any further.

As a result of lowering the pool, the seven boat ramps operated by the Corps within the Columbia Pool (Riverton, Prairion, Bawcomville, Moon Lake, Sterlington, Finch Bayou and Felsenthal South) were closed to the public July 9.  The Riverton swim beach was closed July 10.  These areas and the lock structure will be closed until further notice to protect your safety and prevent possible damages to your boats.  Please do not move or go-around any of the barricades. 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the world's largest public engineering organization and has a firm commitment to preserving and enhancing our natural environment. The Corps is the largest federal provider of outdoor and water-based recreation in the nation. The Vicksburg District encompasses a 68,000-square-mile area across portions of Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana.

XXX