Oklahoma City trustees approve resolution to pursue FEMA BRIC funding for Overholser Dam rehabilitation

A consultant gave trustees of the Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust an update on proposed rehabilitation work at Overholser Dam and the board voted to approve a resolution to pursue FEMA BRIC (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities) grant funding.

Friese and Nichols’ representative said the estimated cost for the project is "56 and a half million dollars" and described a scope that would remove the dam’s existing floodgates, increase structural stability and repair deteriorated concrete. The consultant said the city’s application to FEMA is in process and noted an application due date of April 18, while a new BRIC notice of funding opportunity was expected soon.

Why it matters: The dam’s concrete spillway and gate systems date to the 1920s and have shown corrosion, coating loss and metal loss, according to the presentation. Trustees were told the work is intended to bring the structure into compliance with current federal and state hydraulic and dam safety criteria.

Most important details

- Scope. The…