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Replace/Upgrade Water Distribution System and Controls - Design and Construction
Effigy Mounds National Monument » Replace/Upgrade Water Distribution System and Controls - Design and Construction » Document List
Most of the infrastructure you see - or don't see - when you enter the headquarters area at Effigy Mounds National Monument was constructed back in 1959 and 1960. This includes the water system that delivers water to the Visitor Center and other park buildings. In recent years, this water system has begun to exhibit signs of impending failure, leading Effigy Mounds NM staff to begin preliminary discussions with tribal and state historic preservation partners over what a replacement project might look like.
The park's headquarters area is located on a terrace that was once home to dozens of burial mounds. The mounds on this terrace were described by T. H. Lewis of the Northwestern Archaeological Survey in the 1890s, and by that time they were already described as being damaged by agriculture and looters. By the time the terrace was incorporated into Effigy Mounds National Monument in 1949, the above ground portions of most of these mounds had already been obliterated. Later studies revealed that in some cases, remnants of these mounds may still exist in the area, making it critically important to engage thoughtfully and extensively with our tribal partners.
In the spring of 2021, park staff were forced to shut down the water system for portions of two days in order to make repairs to the crumbling well casing. While the system is still operational as of this writing, it is a matter of time before a more serious problem develops. Depending on the time of year when this occurs, it could lead to serious inconveniences to visitors and staff, since there is no backup system. Further, existing water lines fail to meet modern structural fire protection codes, which could seriously hamper fire suppression activities in the event of a fire in one of the park's buildings.
This project proposes a water system for Effigy Mounds National Monument Visitor Center, consisting of a new well, a new pumphouse and water storage facility, and the replacement of all existing water lines. Studies have been undertaken to better understand the level of disturbance in the entire developed area, allowing the NPS to carefully select areas where ground disturbance or new facilities may take place. Underground directional drilling will be used to place the new waterlines, rather than conventional trenching, in an effort to minimize the amount of ground disturbance that takes place.
Other options were explored, but all were eventually deemed undesirable for one reason or another. That brings us to our proposed system. We hope you will take the time to give it some consideration, and share your thoughts with us by September 7 on this critically-important project.
(563) 873-3491, x101
The park's headquarters area is located on a terrace that was once home to dozens of burial mounds. The mounds on this terrace were described by T. H. Lewis of the Northwestern Archaeological Survey in the 1890s, and by that time they were already described as being damaged by agriculture and looters. By the time the terrace was incorporated into Effigy Mounds National Monument in 1949, the above ground portions of most of these mounds had already been obliterated. Later studies revealed that in some cases, remnants of these mounds may still exist in the area, making it critically important to engage thoughtfully and extensively with our tribal partners.
In the spring of 2021, park staff were forced to shut down the water system for portions of two days in order to make repairs to the crumbling well casing. While the system is still operational as of this writing, it is a matter of time before a more serious problem develops. Depending on the time of year when this occurs, it could lead to serious inconveniences to visitors and staff, since there is no backup system. Further, existing water lines fail to meet modern structural fire protection codes, which could seriously hamper fire suppression activities in the event of a fire in one of the park's buildings.
This project proposes a water system for Effigy Mounds National Monument Visitor Center, consisting of a new well, a new pumphouse and water storage facility, and the replacement of all existing water lines. Studies have been undertaken to better understand the level of disturbance in the entire developed area, allowing the NPS to carefully select areas where ground disturbance or new facilities may take place. Underground directional drilling will be used to place the new waterlines, rather than conventional trenching, in an effort to minimize the amount of ground disturbance that takes place.
Other options were explored, but all were eventually deemed undesirable for one reason or another. That brings us to our proposed system. We hope you will take the time to give it some consideration, and share your thoughts with us by September 7 on this critically-important project.
Contact Information
Jim Nepstad(563) 873-3491, x101