Glen Elder Dam Spillway

Glen Elder Dam was constructed in the mid-twentieth century as part of a federal campaign to prevent extreme flooding of the Missouri River Basin. The dam in north central Kansas is a source for irrigation and municipal water. It also forms Waconda Lake, a popular recreational destination with 100 miles of shoreline.

With the goal of ensuring that the dam continues to protect and benefit the region, Ames began a three-year project in 2022 to repair the dam’s 644-foot-wide concrete spillway.

Crews are replacing 98 spillway panels, which equates to 13,200 cubic yards of self-batched and placed concrete. Project scope also includes the removal of aging concrete, existing drainage material, and pipe; rock excavation; and pipe trench grading.

In the project’s first year, Ames constructed temporary roads, set up the batch plant, and developed the process to produce a consistent batch of concrete that meets owner requirements. In 2023 and 2024, crews removed existing concrete, placed spillway panels, and installed new piping.

Learn more: Bureau of Reclamation