Rebuilding Resilience: Lake LaMoure Spillway Reconstruction
After historic flood levels twice breached the Cottonwood Creek Dam in the spring of 2009, the Lake LaMoure Spillway faced severe erosion—up to 50 feet deep in some areas. The flooding was so extreme that local residents resorted to filling sandbags to prevent further damage and were later asked to evacuate. The crisis escalated to the point where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deployed Black Hawk helicopters to airlift 1-ton sandbags in an attempt to slow the water’s destruction. The North Dakota State Water Commission and the National Guard also stepped in, delivering 2,000 cubic yards of riprap—a crucial material made of concrete and stone—to reinforce the failing dam structure.
Comstock Construction’s Role in Reconstruction
Following emergency response efforts, the USDA brought Comstock Construction in to help reconstruct the auxiliary spillway, restoring the structural integrity of the site and protecting local residents. Our scope of work included:
- Clearing and grubbing – Preparing the site for reconstruction.
- 84,105 cubic yards of common excavation – Removing and reshaping earth to stabilize the area.
- 63,950 cubic yards of Class A earth fill – Strengthening the spillway with high-quality compacted material.
- 33,440 square yards of topsoil stripping and replacement – Restoring the landscape after earthmoving operations.
- 16 acres of seeding – Supporting erosion control and long-term environmental restoration.
Critical Infrastructure for Flood Control
This project was more than just reconstruction—it was a strategic investment in flood mitigation. By reinforcing the spillway and implementing erosion control measures, the Lake LaMoure Auxiliary Spillway is now more resilient to future extreme weather events, providing long-term protection for the surrounding communities.
Comstock Construction is proud to bring our expertise in civil construction and infrastructure restoration to vital projects like this—building stronger, more resilient communities in the face of natural disasters.
Read more about the historic 2009 Lake Lamoure Flooding here:
https://www.jamestownsun.com/sports/water-going-over-spillway-at-lake-lamoure
https://www.grandforksherald.com/newsmd/eroding-spillway-at-lake-lamoure-still-serious-concern
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/32565/guard-reinforces-dam-spillway-near-lamoure
https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna30295992
See how we’ve helped other communities with Civil Construction Projects here.