“As a general contractor, Norm’s has respect for the quality and thoroughness of the plans and specs prepared by Welch Comer.”

David A. Johnson
Norm's Utility Contractor (Now Knife River)

St. Joe River Levee Improvements

Benewah County, Idaho

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Benewah County, St. Joe River Levee Improvement Project was a comprehensive multi-year upgrade, reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Meadowhurst (Drainage District #1) and Riverdale (Drainage District #7) levee systems.  Welch, Comer Engineers provided design, construction management services and funding administration assistance to Benewah County.  Early in the project, Welch Comer identified that the proposed federal funding value was insufficient to complete all the work the County wanted to complete.  Using a “force account” process in which local contractors became County employees and leased their equipment, the County was able to reconstruct all of the levees.  At one time, Welch Comer was coordinating more than eighteen local contractors on the project.

As the result of this major flood control improvement project on the St. Joe River near St. Maries, the levee system is now accepted by the Corps of Engineers into their Emergency Response Cost-Share Program.

KEY ELEMENTS

  • Reconstructed failed levees.
  • Constructed Clay Cutoff Trenches in sound, but leaking levees.
  • Utilize “Force Account” process to allow all the levees to be reconstructed with a limited budget.
  • Coordinated with State and Federal agencies for permitting and financial administration.
  • Reconstructed levee system accepted into the Corps of Engineers System.

 

Sheet piling and rip rap were designed to stabilize this levee.

.

Levee shore stabilization.