The $100,000 Savings Suggestion

Raymond Lee, NRCS Engineering Construction Inspector, was recently presented with a Certificate of Merit by NRCS State Conservationist Larry Butler. Lee received the award for his $100,000 cost savings suggestion in the construction of a flood control dam near the city of Muenster.

Over 19,000 tons of rock rip-rap was needed to protect the front slope of the dam. Instead of having additional rock hauled in, Lee suggested using excavated rock from the auxiliary spillway to raise the front stability berm on the dam 5 feet. His suggestion decreased the amount of rock rip-rap and geotextile the contractor had to install and decreased the cost of the project for the NRCS and MWD in excess of $100,000.00.

Project is cost shared between the by the NRCS and the Muenster Water District and construction was completed on the Muenster Lake project in early May of 2006. In addition to flood control and silt reduction in the Elm Fork Watershed, the multipurpose lake will provide water for the city of Muenster, as well as recreational opportunities.

The resulting lake from the construction of the embankment will have approximately 309 surface acres. The lake will supply drinking water to approximately 2000 people once it is in operation.

Lee has overseen construction of the dam since it began in 2002. Lee has over 40 years of experience with NRCS as a construction inspector.

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