Fish Passage Project on Cape Fear River
The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Wilmington District awarded SEP) an Indefinite Delivery Contract in March 2010 and the first task order issued on this contract was for Engineering and Design of a Fish Passage at Lock and Dam #1 on the Cape Fear River, NC. This fish passage would provide mitigation for potential impacts to anadromous fish species, shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum), Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhyncus), American shad (Alosa sapidissima) and striped bass (Morone saxatilis), due to blasting efforts used to deepen the shipping channel in Wilmington Harbor. As the prime A-E contractor on this task order for the fish passage, SEPI’s role was mainly the coordination of sub-consultant (Tetra Tech), resource and regulatory Agency Review Team (ATR) and fish passage expert Dr. Luther Aadland. In addition to SEPI’s task order management role, SEPI was integral in other key aspects of the design process such as:
- Participated in a Potential Failure Mode Analysis
- Developed a storm water design plan
- Prepared bid packages, bid documents, and coordinated the bidding process for the construction phase of the project
- Secured necessary permits from state and federal regulatory agencies
- Participated in an Alternative Analysis for Construction Modifications to Strengthen the Lock Wall and
- Conducted construction observation and oversight
The site is located in an area authorized for navigational purposes and had significant site constraints, permitting challenges, a high level of coordination and critical construction timing and safety issues that added to its overall complexity. SEPI was able to overcome these challenges and accomplish the project goals within tight budget constraints and schedule. Site constraints, coupled with multiple goals, presented many design challenges. The design team was able to overcome these challenges through careful planning, innovative and site specific design measures, and close coordination with the USACE and other stakeholders.