This week, Missouri River Energy Services suspended upstream work at the Red Rock Hydroelectric Project.

Missouri River authorized controlled flooding in anticipation of the reservoir level reaching the work platform due to recent rainfalls in the Des Moines River watershed.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is responsible for reservoir control and dam operations, has forecast reservoir water levels will rise to 751.5 feet by Tuesday. The cofferdam and work platform is at an elevation of 750 feet.

Since flooding of the work site seemed imminent, Missouri River officials proposed a course of action to suspend upstream work until the flood event is over. The upstream cofferdam is designed to be flooded since the work platform elevation is normally below the reservoir’s water level during the months of June and July in an average rainfall year.

An Emergency Task Force, consisting of representatives from MRES, USACE, Ames Construction, and MWH Americas/Stantec, reviewed the proposal and did not oppose the action. Work on the intake structure likely will resume in August, but could resume earlier if water levels drop and the long-range weather forecast calls for relatively dry weather.