Project Overview
The North Lansing Dam is a former hydroelectric dam owned and operated by the Lansing Board of Water and Light (BWL). The dam is a movable crest dam that is occasionally used to alter the river level for recreational use. A City of Lansing owned Fish Ladder is present to allow for Salmon/Steelhead passage over the dam. The dam has been assigned a hazard potential of “Significant” by the Michigan EGLE. Michigan Part 315 regulations require that the dam be inspected every 4 years. BWL selected NTH to inspect the dam and provide a complete safety inspection report for submittal to EGLE.
Project Scope
NTH performed a safety inspection of the Dam and appurtenant structures, including the Brenke Fish Ladder. NTH delivered a complete safety inspection report to BWL on an accelerated timeline to ensure compliance with Michigan Part 315 Regulations. NTH provided the following services:
- Performed a detailed review of available historical inspection reports, construction documents, and other pertinent information provided by BWL as well as hydrologic design data for the dam from EGLE.
- Performed a field inspection to evaluate the dam’s condition, spillway capacity, operational adequacy, and structural integrity.
- Identified deficiencies of the dam and appurtenances and evaluated them to determine the urgency of maintenance and repair items.
- Provided a suggested schedule to BWL for recommended repairs and maintenance to assist BWL in prioritizing these activities.
- Prepared a safety inspection report in accordance with Michigan Part 315 Dam Safety regulations.
Client Benefit
NTH proactively communicated with the client to coordinate the inspection, convey the deficiencies identified during the inspection, and deliver the dam safety inspection report on an accelerated timeline to meet the Michigan Part 315 dam safety requirements. As part of this project, NTH provided a suggested schedule for implementing repair and maintenance items to assist BWL in prioritizing these items.
