Vol 27, No 10

Presentation Synopsis: During the first two weeks of June 2008, Southern Wisconsin experienced unprecedented rainfall and flooding. Inflows to Lake Delton exceeded the 81-year-old Dell Creek Dam’s spillway capacity and lake levels overtopped a previously unknown low area located in the lake’s shoreline ridge between the lake and the Wisconsin River. Within 2 hours early on the morning of June 9, a total breach of the reservoir rim occurred, eroding nearly 700,000 cubic yards of sand material into the Wisconsin River and completely draining the lake.

The economy of the Lake Delton and neighboring Wisconsin Dells communities relies heavily on summer tourism. Consequently, reservations at many resorts surrounding the lake were cancelled, causing significant revenue loss. In addition to losing Lake Delton, a section of County Highway A, which served as an important transportation link serving 5000 vehicles and provided the rights-of-way for water, sewer, electric power, telephone and fiber optic cable lines, and gas lines was washed into the Wisconsin River.

At the outset it was determined that a fast-track approach should be taken to assure that Lake Delton would be filled by Memorial Day 2009. Consequently, a schedule to close the breach by December 2008 and fully restore Lake Delton by the spring of 2009 was adopted and seen to completion.

Speaker Bio: Bryan Ripp has more than 25 years of nationwide and international experience in the engineering properties of earth materials and geomorphic processes. His strong background in earth sciences, engineering, and construction provide a comprehensive approach to the assessment and stabilization of water resources. Throughout his professional career Bryan has been involved with numerous earthwork and foundation projects nationally and internationally. In particular, he has provided the design parameters and specifications for settlement, slope stability, sensitive silts, urban fills, rock fills, mine waste, organic soils and expansive soils. He has a BS in Geological Engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology as well as an MS in Geological Engineering for Missouri University of Science and Technology (University of Missouri – Rolla). He is a Professional Engineer and Professional Geologist as well as a Certified Professional in Sediment and Erosion Control.

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

Meeting Agenda: 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. Post Meeting and Presentation will be from 12:30 PM to about 1:10 PM in the ballroom of the Officers Club.

Luncheon Menu, Cost, and RSVP Info: 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.

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

Highlights of the November Meeting

Beth K and Julie B

Post President Beth Keister (l) presented Julie Blackburn the Post's Speaker Mug in appreciation of her very interesting and educational presentation about the Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment that is now providing funding for a wide variety of activities that will improve Minnesota's water environment. She explained the evaluation and selection process that proposed projects go through before they are approved for implementation; and she affirmed that all approved projects must be able to demonstrate positive results within a reasonable time after they are implemented. Julie reported that in FY12-13, the Clean Water Funding provided by this Amendment will amount to nearly $180M and will be distributed to the following types of projects:

59% for On-the-ground protection / restoration activities
19% for Water quality studies / development
13% for Monitoring /assessment activities
9% for Drinking water protection

Oversight of the specific projects are done by a variety of state agencies such as the Pollution Control Agency, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, the Public Facilities Authority, and the Metropolitan Council.

It was interesting in that right after the presentation, Julie had to hustle off to the State Capital to give a briefing to the Legislature. We were glad that she was able to fit us into her very hectic schedule.

Beth K and Wayne W Post President Beth Keister (l) presented Wayne Wambold with the Regional Vice President's Award for his service to the Post over the past many years as the Awards Chairperson. Wayne was out of town and unable to receive the award when it was originally presented at the August Post Awards Banquet.

New Attendees at November Meeting It was wonderful to have so many first-time attendees at the November meeting; there were at least 10 new faces in the crowd. Thank you for attending our meeting and we hope you return soon. Also thank you to our seasoned members who encouraged all these new folks to attend.

Interested in helping with a Habitat for Humanity project?

As mentioned in last month's newsletter, the Post would like to field two crews to help with a Habitat for Humanity project. For this coming event, rather than having two crews that worked on the same day but in two different locations, we will be working on two consecutive Saturdays.

The Habitat for Humanity organizers have reserved for us the 2nd and 3rd Saturdays in February (2-11-12 and 2-18-12). It is expected that the work would entail interior finish out, including drywall installation, taping and floating, painting, installation of flooring, cabinets and countertops. Both skilled and non-skilled help is welcomed; for those who need it training will be provided when you arrive. The typical work shift is from 8:30AM to 4:30PM.

So, if you would be interested in participating in this activity, for either one of both of the dates, please let Post President Beth Keister [Beth_Keister@URSCorp.com] know by the Post meeting on January 25th so we can determine how many lunches we need to arrange for.

Join the Engineering Team of the Future! -- We are looking for few Members to help us judge at the Future City Competition in January

FCC logo This will be the eleventh year that teams from Minnesota have participated in the national Future Cities Competition and will be the fifth year that the SAME M-SP Post will be sponsoring a special award category for the team that best addresses "Readiness for Natural and Man-made Disasters".

The M-SP Post needs the assistance of four (4) volunteers on the morning of January 14, 2012 at the University of Minnesota to help select the team to receive our special award. If you are willing to help with this portion of the event, please contact Jane Flewellen at jane.m.flewellen@usace.army.mil and let her know of your availability ... it is only a few hours (8:30 AM to about 11:30 AM) of very fun and worthwhile involvement.

	Society of American Military Engineers

	Minneapolis-Saint Paul Post