Philip Ciesielski, assistant utilities director for the city, will chat about the role the Bowersock Dam plays in the city’s water system, and about a new report that outlines repairs that are needed for the dam.

Moderator

Hi, I’m Joel Mathis. Philip is here and ready to take questions. Welcome!

Philip Ciesielski

Good afternoon Joel and thanks for having me online to discuss the Bowersock Dam.

Moderator

This morning, Chad Lawhorn reported that there are worries about the stability of Bowersock Dam, which was built in the 1870s. Is that unusually old for an American bridge?

Philip Ciesielski

That is fairly old for any structure. Some of the current questions are due to the lack of information available about the original construction of structure and the inability to thoroughly investigate the areas below the surface. Based on the report cited we are comfortable the current short term repairs will provide the stability required while we continue to assess the structure and explore options for its long term needs.

max1

The Pallid Sturgeon is extinct in the Kaw River upstream from Lawrence, Kansas because Bowersock Dam has prevented it from gaining access to its upstream spawning ground since 1874. Has the Kansas Department of Wildlife ever suggested building a fish ladder to remedy that situation?

KANSAS: Its Interior and Exterior Life by Sara Robinson
May 12th, 1855– “A most curious fish was sent in from Topeka today. It has a long, projecting, sword-shaped upper jaw, and no lower jaw, — the mouth being an opening in the under side of the upper one. After being stuffed, it will be sent to Boston.”

Philip Ciesielski

I am not aware of any requests from the Kansas Dept of Wildlife to modify the existing structure. Issues such as this would be addressed under permit reviews at the time of any reconstruction or replacement of the dam.

Moderator

Is the dam essential? Could Lawrence still get water from the Kaw if it were allowed to lfow freely again?

Philip Ciesielski

The city’s current infrastructure to divert water from the Kaw River to the Kaw Water Treatment Plant is designed to operate with the upstream pool provided by the Bowersock Dam. As we further assess the dam and the long term water needs of Lawrence we will evaluate all options in addition to surface water.

hawkperchedatriverfront

If the Hill family is making money from power because of the dam, what would be an appropriate cost for them to pay for the studies and/or replacement. After all, they benefit finacially more than do the taxpayers in Lawrence. The dam is not needed for a water supply.

Philip Ciesielski

A division of cost for future replacement or rehabilitation of the dam may encompass entities other than the City. The current maintenance needs, including investigations into the dam’s current condition, are handled by the City per a contractual agreement with the Bowersock group.

Moderator

If the dam failed, what would that look like? Would it all go at once (say, like in ‘Superman’) or would it kind of crumble away? And if that’s the case, is it crumbling away right now?

Philip Ciesielski

At this time we are not forecasting the failure of the dam. As indicated in the article this morning the current maintenance project is to address locations where voids have developed and water is flowing through the dam. As noted in the article there are wooden timbers and other fill within the dam that the project will protect by eliminating the flow of water through them.

Moderator

From this morning’s story: “The engineers estimate long-term costs could range from $7.5 million to about $18 million, depending on how much work is needed. Before that work is done, the engineers recommend that the city study building a new dam, which has a rough cost estimate of $20 million to $25 million.” Question: How do we pay for that?

Philip Ciesielski

As noted in the article the City has budgeted for maintenance for the existing structure this year 2007 and in 2013. As we look at the longer term needs for rehabilitation or construction of a new structure there may be others that benefit from the existence of the dam and we would be looking to engage them in the discussions. As a general note water system projects are funded through the rates assessed for water service.

Moderator

That’s all the questions we have today. Thanks for joining us!