Lake Okeechobee

Herbert Hoover Dike – Culverts 11 & 16
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Harry Pepper & Associates
Lake Okeechobee, FL

Project Description

The project involved the demolition of existing outlet culverts in the Herbert Hoover Dike and construction of new concrete culvert structures and appurtenances at Culverts 11 & 16 for Lake Okeechobee in western Palm Beach County. The new control structures in the dike will reduce water seepage and increase the dike’s stability to safety levels acceptable by today’s engineering requirements.

To perform the scope of work, Harry Pepper & Associates, (HPA) the project’s prime contractor, subcontracted VCM to provide various construction services for the project. VCM’s status as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and HubZone Contractor allowed HPA to utilize the value VCM’s subcontract in their Small Business Plan to the USACE.

Work performed included:

  • Installation and maintenance of silt fence and erosion control devices
  • Demolition of existing multiple barrel concrete culverts including
    • Chain link fencing and gates
    • Up and downstream control gates
    • Manatee protective racks
    • Concrete structure
    • Foundation pilings
    • Removal of steel casings within the culverts
    • Offsite disposal of concrete and steel debris
  • Furnishing and installing prefabricated control building at each culvert location
  • Furnishing and installing structure control telemetry systems within the control building
  • Furnishing and installing emergency generators at each culvert location
  • Furnishing, installing and removing temporary electrical power to each control building
  • Installation of communication towers and surveillance cameras
  • Sod installation and maintenance

All work met the USACE and HPA’s project specifications and was completed within the allotted schedule.