Kings River Levee Breach Repair

Project Overview

This emergency-based project involved comprehensive project management and construction services for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Kings River Levee Breach Repair. The work was executed under strict regulatory oversight and completed within accelerated timelines to restore flood protection and public safety. Pre-construction submittals included preparation and approval of SWPPP, Health & Safety Plan, Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA), project schedule, work plan, Flood and Rainfall Contingency Plan, and Cofferdam Plan. Conditional surveys such as haul route and construction site surveys were conducted prior to mobilization. A fully enclosed staging area was established, including temporary offices, sanitary facilities, storage buildings and yards, temporary water service, and handwash-equipped restroom facilities. To protect the river during construction, a cofferdam system was installed using turbidity curtains in combination with interlocking sheet pile (Z-piles). Dewatering operations were performed in full compliance with water quality permit conditions throughout the duration of the project. The primary scope included excavation of a 130-foot-long by 73-foot-wide section of damaged levee, removing approximately 1,400 cubic yards of material, which was hauled and disposed of at a designated stockpile area under Corps supervision. After keyway preparation, approximately 1,800 cubic yards of approved fill material were placed in 8-inch lifts, moisture-conditioned, and compacted using a sheepsfoot compactor to achieve specified density requirements. All fill operations were monitored by the Corps, with soil testing performed on each lift by an approved geotechnical testing agency. The levee was overbuilt by 6 inches and trimmed back to final design elevations and slopes. The levee crown was completed with a 6-inch-thick aggregate base layer, properly compacted, followed by hydroseeding to stabilize the surface. Dust control measures were maintained throughout the project using water trucks along haul routes and staging areas. SWPPP devices remained in place and were maintained until final stabilization and approval of the Notice of Termination (NOT). The completed project successfully restored the structural integrity and flood protection capacity of the levee system in accordance with USACE standards and environmental regulations.