Wednesday, 23 May 2012

Grand Forks Flood Protection 5 Years Post-Construction:
 A Review of Project Performance and Lessons Learned

Synopsis:   Construction of the Grand Forks Flood Protection Project was completed in 2007.  The project consists of 8 miles of levees, 2 miles of floodwall, 7 closure structures, 12 pump stations, and the 9.5 mile English Coulee diversion channel.  The project included several innovative features including combining recreational and flood protection facilities into a 2,200 acre greenway and preservation of historic properties.  Since 2007, the flood protection system has been tested several times with major floods occurring in 2006 when the project was partially complete and in 2009 and 2011. This presentation will provide a brief history of the project and review how the flood protection system has performed in protecting the City of Grand Forks from recent floods and lessons learned in construction and operation of the system.

Speaker Bios: 

Bonnie Greenleaf -- Bonnie is a Project Manager with the Corps of Engineers and has worked on flood control projects since 1988.  She is registered as a professional engineer and a project management professional.  She served as Project Manager for the Corps of Engineers for the Grand Fork Forks Flood Protection Project.

Bill Holman -- Bill is a Senior Project Manager and Principal Geotechnical Engineer with Stanley Consultants with over 28 years of experience focused on dam and flood damage risk reduction structure inspection, evaluation and design.  He served as Project Engineer and Project Manager during the design and construction of all four phases of the Grand Forks Flood Protection Project.

Al Grasser -- Al is the City Engineer for the City of Grand Forks.  During the Red River Flood of 1997 he was the Assistant City engineer.  He took over the position of City Engineer in 2001.  He represented City interests during the design and construction of the Grand Forks Flood Protection Project.  His office coordinated plan development and construction activities between the City and the Corps from inception to completion.

Reservations:   Please RSVP with your intent to either partake in the cafeteria-style lunch or to come for the presentation only; this will help the Officers Club staff to ensure that an adequate amount of food is prepared.  Either leave a voice mail message with Jim Mosner at 651-290-5512, or click the RSVP button in the left-hand column, or send an email message to james.b.mosner@usace.army.mil.

Meeting Location:   Fort Snelling Officer's Club near Post Road.  See map at: http://www.same-msp.org/_images/934thOfficersClub.jpg

Meeting Schedule and Logistics:

• Social time and lunch (if you so desire) will be from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM in the dining room of the Officers Club.
• The Club’s cafeteria-style lunches are typically $10.00 or less; people who partake in the cafeteria-style lunch will pay the Officers Club directly.  If you come only for the presentations, there is no charge. 
• Post Meeting and Presentation will be from 12:30 PM to about 1:15 PM in the ballroom of the Officers Club.
• No-PDH for this Presentation.