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Getting the job done
Flood protection in the COVID-19 era
Repairs needed
Wear and tear
taking a toll
on MCD dams
For almost a century, MCD’s integrated system of dams and levees has spared local cities from a flooding disaster. MCD’s system protects nearly 47,000 properties from the mess, stress, and duress of flooding by the Great Miami River. And MCD is working to keep it that way so you can live your life without the threat of flooding.
How the dams work
Each of the five dry dams is made of earth with concrete openings (conduits) at the base that the river flows through. When it rains and the river rises above the height of the openings, the excess water is stored upstream behind the dams. The concrete openings allow only the amount of water through the conduits that the downstream river channel can handle.
“Our flood risk reduction system has worked exceptionally well so far,” says Barry Puskas, MCD chief of technical and engineering services, “We have improved the dams and maintained them consistently over the years. But like any infrastructure—such as bridges and roads—that is nearly 100 years old, repair and upgrades are needed.”
Repairs needed
Decades of freeze/thaw cycles have contributed to concrete deterioration at MCD’s five flood protection dams— and it’s getting worse. But there are improvements that can be put in place
to repair the damage and reduce the impact of future freeze/thaw cycles. (See Lockington Dam story on page 3.)
Rehabilitating the concrete is critical
to keeping the dams operating at peak effectiveness, ensuring the safety of the structures, and the people and properties they are designed to protect.
MCD Hydro Technician Alex Hackney prepares to make a stream flow measurement.
These past several months have been like no other in our lifetime. The coronavirus has dramatically changed our lives and the way we do business. But we want you to know that despite the challenges, our staff is on the job working to protect you from flooding by the Great Miami River.
“The first two weekends of Governor Mike Dewine’s stay-at-home order, our staff responded to two separate high-water events,” says Janet Bly, MCD general manager. “We didn’t miss a beat, although we did have to operate a little differently.”
Our staff remains on the job every day. In addition to responding to high water events, MCD staff performs critical maintenance and inspection work needed to protect riverfront communities from flooding by the Great Miami River. As essential workers, we quickly adapted to the workplace guidelines necessary due to COVID-19, from social distancing to wearing masks.
“It may not be business as usual in the way we do our job, but it is business as usual in getting the job done,” Bly says. “We will continue to do our best to protect you and your property in all kinds of weather, all kinds of conditions, and under all kinds of circumstances.”
Protecting | Preserving | Promoting