Taum Sauk Pump Back Modifications

When the Taum Sauk Reservoir was rebuilt after dam failure, it was constructed of roller compacted concrete that was capped with traditional cast-in-place concrete. Periodic joints allowed for expansion and contraction, and were designed to leak until calcium content from the water sealed the joints. The water was routed to a holding basin and pumped out periodically, but during heavy rains the basin flowed into the Ozark Mountains. The high calcium content of this water was bad for the environment, so Federal Regulators required Ameren to contain the water, which was the scope of this project. KCI connected to two of the leakage points and installed 2,100 linear feet of HDPE pipe underground to a new collection basin. This piping was routed under a 15 foot wide plant road with fence on one side and cliff drop off on the other, making logistics and safety paramount. Approximately 1,000 linear feet of 24″ diameter steel pipe was then routed from the basin, up the side of the reservoir, and across the dam allowing collected water to be pumped back into the reservoir. All of this work was accomplished in a tight three-month time frame to allow Ameren to meet a Federal Regulation deadline.