Lake Lenexa project receives award

Lake Lenexa Dam and Spillway has earned the U.S. Society of Dams 2009 Excellence in the Constructed Project Award.

The lake and associated park area, near Prairie Star Parkway and Monticello Road, are part of the city's Rain to Recreation storm water program.

Black & Veatch provided study, public outreach, design and construction management services for the project.

"Thanks to the support and visionary thinking of our citizens, the courage of our governing body to carry out the mission of Rain to Recreation, and the expertise and creative solutions of our partners and city staff, this beautiful state-of-the-art dam will enhance the quality of life and serve our growing community for many years to come," Lenexa Mayor Mike Boehm said.

Rain to Recreation works to transform storm water into a community asset. Lenexa built a dam and spillway to create a 35-acre lake within nearly 350 acres of parkland for fishing, nature education and non-motorized boating. The new facilities also feature wetlands, trails, docks, a boat ramp, picnic areas and boardwalks.

"We rejected the mindset that storm water is a problem to be rapidly swept away," Ron Norris, Public Works director, said. "City staff worked closely with Black & Veatch's water resource experts to carefully plan and effectively implement a project that delivers much more than flood control."

The Excellence in the Constructed Project Award recognizes the significant contributions made to the community and to society through the construction, remediation or removal of a dam or water resources structure. The award honors individuals or a team of professionals who meet the challenges of the nation's aging infrastructure in an era of limited financial resources and increasing environmental awareness.

"The Lake Lenexa Dam and Spillway is a marriage of form and function that will continue to add great value to the community for generations to come," Mike Beezhold, watershed manager, said. "They are beautifully conceived, designed and constructed, and the city is very pleased with the outcome."

Dam work is among the most demanding undertakings in heavy civil engineering, and Lenexa's project effectively addressed design challenges such as the need for spillway walls that allow for settlement and spillway slabs or steps that minimize seepage as well as settlement.

Les Lampe, a Black & Veatch vice president and the Global Water Resources Practice leader for the company's water business, said the project showcases the application of high-level engineering and creativity to achieve balance between natural environment and man-made resources.

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