December 15, 2005
WILLOW SPRINGS - Maintenance crews with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) South Central District returned to Johnson’s Shut Ins State Park in Annapolis, Mo., early this morning to resume the clean up effort following Wednesday’s reservoir failure on Taum Sauk Mountain. Crews had been evacuated midday Wednesday when AmerenUE, the St. Louis based owner and operator of the hydroelectric dam system, announced plans to release the remaining 20 feet of water still inside the reservoir.
Route N in Reynolds County received a thick coating of mud, trees and other debris as water from the reservoir made its way through the area. The road was closed Wednesday but has been reopened. Motorists are urged to use caution if they must travel the road. If it is not necessary to travel Route N, MoDOT encourages the use of alternate routes, such as Route 21, for safety reasons and due to the presence of crews who are still working to clean and repair the highway.
According to MoDOT South Central District Operations Engineer Henry Haggard, mud was as deep as a foot in some areas. “Crews from Belleview, Bunker and Centerville, Mo., were on the scene by 7 a.m. or a little before with graders and plows to clean the roadway,” he explained. “They worked until we had to evacuate the park area and have returned to continue the effort this morning. In addition to clean up, they are performing repair work where the highway was damaged by the incident.”
Haggard said MoDOT is coordinating with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, which has command of the scene, and the Missouri Department of Conservation to clear roadways into the park so the situation can be better evaluated and action plans can be formed. “We know how important it is to improve access to the area so the recovery process can get fully under way,” he said.
South Central District Engineer Tom Stehn said MoDOT crews will continue to respond until roadways are returned to good condition. “We are committed to improving access to the area so emergency personnel and others responding to the incident can easily carry out their work,” he said. “Our thoughts are with those workers and the residents of the area who have a lot of hard work and recovery time ahead of them.”
For additional information, contact the MoDOT Customer Service Center by calling toll free, at 1-888-ASK-MODOT or emailing at d9csc@modot.mo.gov.
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December 14, 2005
WILLOW SPRINGS - The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) South Central District responded within minutes of the dam failure at the upper reservoir on Taum Sauk Mountain this morning. Operations Engineer Henry Haggard came through the area shortly after the water had flowed over Route N in Reynolds County and has coordinated MoDOT maintenance crews in the cleanup effort.
When the northeast corner of the dam failed, water flowed upstream along the east fork of the Black River, then flowed back down carrying mud, debris and many trees, which were deposited on Route N. MoDOT maintenance crews from Centerville, Bunker and Belleview, Mo., responded and have worked to clear the roadways all morning.
Shortly after noon electric utility company AmerenUE, owner and operator of the dam, announced 20 feet of water still in the reservoir would need to be released and asked that MoDOT crews evacuate the Johnson’s Shut Ins State Park for their own safety. Crews were evacuated but remain on standby, ready to move back in once clearance is given.
MoDOT bridge crews were dispatched to the Belleview maintenance facility early this morning. They are monitoring bridges in the effected area and have manpower and equipment ready to act if it is determined their services are needed.
“The Missouri Department of Transportation is concerned for the safety of Reynolds County residents effected by this incident,” said Tom Stehn, MoDOT South Central District Engineer. “Our crews will remain in the area, clearing roadways to ensure emergency personnel and others responding to the situation can safely and efficiently make their way to those who need help.
“Response within MoDOT has been phenomenal. I appreciate the offers of help from our neighboring districts and the hard work of our crews.”
For additional information, contact the MoDOT Customer Service Center by calling toll free, at 1-888-ASK-MODOT or email at d9csc@modot.mo.gov.
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