Purpose
The project is the routine maintenance, including painting and repair of the dam gates. Phase 1 consisted of report development, including alternatives and life cycle costs. Phase 2 of the project analyzed the alternatives, and decided upon an Indefinite Delivery – Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) acquisition strategy with maintenance performed on site.
Location
The St. Paul District operates and maintains 13 locks and dams from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Guttenberg, Iowa. Lock and Dam 5 is the starting point of the study. The study should be applicable to the other locks and dams.
Description
Each lock and dam is a critical step in the "stairway of water" that allows navigation between Minneapolis and St. Louis, Missouri. The Corps constructed Locks and Dams 2 through 10 in the 1930s. Each site includes a dam bridge and varying numbers of dam gates. The gates are critical components because they control pool elevation for navigation, flood control and environmental purposes.
Typically, the gates are partially submerged in flowing water and subjected to abrasion from sediment and debris. Abrasion degrades the paint systems, contributing to corrosion and an escalating backlog of repairs.
Status
The life expectancy of modern paint systems ranges from 15 to 25 years.
The district will pursue routine dam gate maintenance, including repair and painting, through an IDIQ contract for the majority of our portfolio. Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) will be used to develop and review routine dam gate maintenance plans and specifications. Approximately $22.4 million is anticipated in the fiscal year 2023 President’s Budget to perform routine maintenance on Lock and Dam 5. Review of the 35% plans and specifications for Lock and Dam 5 are currently underway.
Authority
The project was authorized as part of the Rivers and Harbors Act approved July 3, 1930.
Funding
The St. Paul District received $1 million from IIJA in fiscal year 2022 to prepare plans & specifications throughout the lock and dam portfolio; the work will be finalized in fiscal year 2023. Additionally, $22.4 million is included in the fiscal year 2023 President’s Budget to perform routine maintenance on Lock and Dam 5.