Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 16, Engineering firm Kleinschmidt Associates has played a central role in advancing the Lake Conestee Dam Restoration Project, a multi-year initiative to stabilize and replace the aging dam on the Reedy River in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States. The project, led by the Lake Conestee Dam Restoration Project, LLC (LCDRP), aims to ensure the long-term safety of the surrounding community and protect the river ecosystem by addressing structural and environmental concerns associated with the century-old stone masonry dam.

After extensive evaluation, project leaders concluded that constructing a new dam would provide the most reliable solution to maintain containment of the contaminated sediment stored behind the existing structure. To support this effort, Kleinschmidt Associates conducted comprehensive hydrologic and hydraulic analyses to define technical requirements for the replacement and collaborated with LCDRP to create a Project Strategic Plan that outlines the design and construction roadmap.

Heather Martin, Senior Engineer at Kleinschmidt Associates, emphasized the importance of the project, stating: “This project has been a vital investment in the future of the Greenville community and neighboring counties. The new dam safeguards the Reedy River and downstream reservoirs – such as Lake Greenwood, a critical freshwater source – from historic contamination. I’m proud to have contributed to such a technically demanding and meaningful effort that will benefit generations to come.”

LCDRP President Dr. Kelly D. H. Lowry also highlighted the complexity of the project and the firm’s critical support. “I found myself faced with a project of serious complexity, magnitude, and sensitivity, and I knew I needed the best help to succeed. The staff at Kleinschmidt perceived the need immediately and set in motion a process to orient me to the idiosyncratic and complex nature of dam ownership, construction, and repair,” Lowry said. He added: “The firm capably shepherded me through the processes of permitting and construction as the owner’s engineer. Without their guidance every step of the way, I am certain that the project would not have been as flawlessly executed as it was.”

Kleinschmidt’s role covered a wide range of activities including geotechnical exploration, construction permitting, environmental investigations, NEPA applicability review, and procurement of both the owner’s project manager and the design-build team. The firm also oversaw the design and construction process to ensure full regulatory compliance.

According to project leaders, the collaboration between Kleinschmidt and LCDRP has delivered significant progress toward remediation goals. The detailed planning and technical oversight provided by the firm have strengthened stakeholder coordination, maintained cost efficiency, and helped keep the project ahead of schedule.

The Lake Conestee Dam Restoration Project is regarded as a major step in preserving environmental safety and supporting community resilience. Its successful execution highlights the importance of technical expertise and collaborative planning in managing large-scale infrastructure renewal efforts that will continue to serve the region for decades to come.