Congratulations to the Memphis District team responsible for getting the Graham Burke Pumping Station repaired and back online.
To celebrate construction completion, the Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller, district leadership, the Project Delivery Team, and a representative of District Partner White River Levee and Drainage District, other pumping plant employees came together to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony on Jan. 20, 2021.
Late in 2019, the pumping station suffered an engine failure during a high-water event, which resulted in extensive damage to the engines.
Without these pumps operating at full capacity, more than 150,000 acres in the White River Levee and Drainage District, as well as the citizens living there, would be at risk during high water events.
To get the pumps back in working condition, a service contract was awarded to Fairbanks Morse for $2,249,893 to rebuild all three engines.
Work started Oct. 28, 2019 and was completed a little more than a year later Nov. 9, 2020.
“The design team stood out as well, due to the fact that they mobilized so quickly to develop a technical scope of work for the project,” Project Manager Marsalis Roddy said. “Their hard work ensured that the pump station was down for operation a minimal amount of time.”
This station pumped more than 180 days last year to protect citizens living in the lower valleys of Phillips County, Arkansas.
Many thanks to the district's longtime partner, the White River Levee and Drainage District, for working with the Memphis District to successfully execute this important project.
Special thanks to the Project Delivery Team as well! Members included Project Manager Marsalis Roddy, Technical Lead Daphlyn Koester, Mechanical Engineer Daphlyn Koester, Mechanical Engineer Wayne Quarles, Mechanical Engineer Mohammad Nisar, Hydraulics & Hydrology – Robert Gambill, Cost Engineer Jeromy Carpenter, Contracting Specialist Christopher White.
Congratulations to the whole team on this outstanding accomplishment.