Bonneau Dam

Serious “Safety of Dams” deficiencies were identified at Bonneau Dam that included failing outlet works, an inadequate spillway, and seepage concerns. The 67-foot-high embankment dam provides important irrigation, recreational, and wildlife benefits to the Chippewa Cree Tribe (CCT).

DOWL assisted the CCT in completing a comprehensive rehabilitation and enlargement that corrected the safety deficiencies while raising the dam 36 feet to provide additional water storage benefits. The project was accomplished in two phases: The first phase provided immediate safety improvements by replacing the outlet works and installing foundation grouting to control seepage. Once additional funding for the enlargement was obtained as part of the CCT’s federal reserved water rights settlement, the dam was enlarged and a new 300-foot-wide spillway was constructed. During Phase I, DOWL trained tribal members in project management, construction oversight, and materials testing as the initial step in developing internal capabilities. When Phase II began, the CCT was ready to establish a construction enterprise to undertake the construction operations. DOWL was responsible for the design and construction oversight of the project, and training of CCT project personnel.