Pine River Dam work will progress through winter

An early plan has been laid for the dam construction in Pine River.

Landwehr Construction will begin harvesting rocks off site next week for the upcoming rock riffle construction with equipment showing up to begin work on the dam the first week in November, according to Pine River's City Engineer Bryan Drown.

"Probably by the second week in November more activities will be starting with the sheet pile wall being installed and then starting to set the rock," Drown said.

A sheet pile wall will be installed north of the existing dam, and water will be diverted along the east side of the river in accordance with plans approved by the Department of Natural Resources. Water will not ever be completely stopped, but it may be reduced during the work period.

"They plan to be working through the winter," Drown said. "We have kind of an interim completion date for the end of February and then there will be a lot more activity like planting and restoration adjacent to the river once it thaws out. The final completion date is June 30 of next year. They said they can work as long as it's not colder than 10 below, then their excavators don't work quite as well."

Drown said Landwehr has completed similar projects and working in the winter helps them avoid changes in water flow from events like heavy rain. Drown said the actual installation is expected to be done in a month or up to six weeks barring any delays.

Progress will be posted and updated regularly at cityofpineriver.org under the "Projects" menu on the left.

Travis Grimler is a staff writer for the Pineandlakes Echo Journal weekly newspaper in Pequot Lakes/Pine River. He may be reached at 218-855-5853 or travis.grimler@pineandlakes.com.

1/4: A finished, similar rock riffle dam project constructed in Hutchinson, Minnesota, illustrating how it looks from upstream. Photo from Bolton & Menk, Inc.

2/4: This photo/illustration shows the superimposed outline of where the Norway Lake Rock Riffle Dam will be constructed. Photo/illustration from Bolton & Menk, Inc.

3/4: Detail of the construction techniques to be used on the Norway Lake Rock Riffle Dam. Illustration from Bolton & Menk, Inc.

4/4: A finished, similar rock riffle dam project constructed in Hutchinson, Minnesota, illustrating the appearance of the project from downstream. Photo from Bolton & Menk, Inc.