USACE Periodic Levee Inspections in North Atlantic District

Princeton Hydro was contracted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to perform rigorous Periodic Levee Inspections for six levee systems in the North Atlantic District. The purpose of these inspections was to verify proper operation and maintenance, evaluate operational adequacy and structural stability, review design criteria to identify changes in current design standards, identify features to monitor over time, and communicate the overall condition to the USACE Levee Safety Officer.

The inspections consisted of collaboration between geotechnical, civil, mechanical, electrical, and H&H engineering disciplines. Our team inspected over 4.1 miles of levee system miles, which included 3.4 miles of levee embankment, 0.6 miles of floodwall, 0.1 miles of channel, three pumping stations, 39 interior drainage structures, and five closure structures (including 1 tide gate).

Princeton Hydro prepared a Periodic Inspection Report for each of the six levee systems inspected, which included the results of the design criteria review, methods, and results of the field inspection; a summary of areas/items of concern; a preliminary engineering assessment of causes of distress or abnormal conditions; and recommendations for remedial actions to address identified concerns. Final report development included briefing the USACE Levee Safety Officer (LSO) on our inspection findings, assigned ratings, and recommendations. This project presents numerous challenges, including coordination with a large diverse project team which includes multiple firms, experts from various disciplines, multiple representatives from the USACE, as well as specific project sponsors and operators for each levee.

Princeton Hydro also provided these same services for USACE on a levee system along the Elizabeth River in Elizabeth, NJ between 2018 and 2019, under a separate contract. Our team inspected over 19,000 linear feet of levee embankment and 1,400 linear feet of floodwall, as well as four pumping stations, 29 interior drainage structures, five closure gates, and various other facilities.