Aerial view of the VERSA-LOK Bronco 18H wall at the Galesville Dam

You never know what’s lurking underwater, especially when it’s next to a mill dam, originally built in 1856. Surprises can be tricky when water and earth need to be moved, especially when numerous agencies are involved. 

Such was the case at the Galesville Mill Dam, a municipal dam in Galesville, Wis. When an old foundation was discovered buried underwater, it came as a surprise.

The dam was listed as a high-hazard dam lacking an emergency plan in 2017 by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and that same summer intense flooding highlighted the need for repairs. The almost $400,000 project received half of its funding from the Wisconsin DNR and the plan became reality.

To expose the bottom of the existing structure, the contractor needed to install an expensive, temporary dam. “There was a poured concrete wall that was partially visible as well as limestone and block,” said Francis Modjeski, owner of Winona Mechanical in Winona, Minn., which specializes in moving both water and earth for a variety of projects, including piping systems and underground and above-ground utilities.

The retaining wall needed to be beefy but also workable within the tight space. VERSA-LOK’s Bronco 18H SRW  system was up to the challenge. “After the portable dam was installed and water pumped out, we started digging to begin construction on the new retaining wall foundation and the lower portions of the VERSA-LOK Bronco 18H retaining wall,” said Modjeski. “The big surprise was we found an old foundation from another building.”

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