District staff saluted for involvement in national dam meeting

Published April 29, 2015

The Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District staff gave presentations and project-site tours during the U.S. Society on Dams Annual Meeting and Conference held in Louisville, April 13-17, 2015.

Troy O’Neal, geotechnical engineer, was the moderator for the session titled Dams on Karstic Foundations, in which Trace Henn, geologist, gave an overview of poor performance on dams on karstic rock, a common geologic feature found in Kentucky. The session also covered investigative techniques and alternative measures for these foundation conditions. Additionally, several case histories, including Nashville District’s Wolf Creek Dam recent remediation, were presented. O’Neal also presented as a technical expert in his field.

Kan Lamkin, hydraulic engineer, led a tour group of conference attendees to the Cannelton Hydroelectric Project, constructed on the Cannelton Dam on the Ohio River near Hawesville, Kentucky. The project is one of AMP’s four hydroelectric projects currently under construction on the Ohio River.

The McAlpine Locks and Dam staff hosted a tour for conference participants.  A Chinese delegation also visited the project during the week.

Tom Hagman, regulatory specialist and biologist, gave a presentation on the Corps’ perspective on key permitting issues. It focused on water supply projects and the challenges associated with getting to the least environmentally damaging practicable alternative in accordance with government guidelines.

Louisville District Commander Col. Christopher Beck gave remarks at the start of the conference. Robert Anderson, civil engineer, also coordinated support for the conference.