Klingner and Sny Island Levee & Drainage District (SILDD) have received both a Special Achievement Award and a Judge’s Choice Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois (ACEC-IL). Klingner’s design was one of only nine projects selected at the Special Achievement level and the only Judge’s Choice Award in the Water Resources category.
Recent years have seen a rise in river conditions, leading to more frequent life-threatening and damaging floods. SILDD worked with Klingner to design two new supplemental pump stations to support their existing infrastructure. Each is an enclosed structure elevated above the 500-year flood level to protect equipment and facilitate pumping in emergency situations. Station No. 1 contains two 58” pumps, together handling 230,000 gallons per minute (GPM); while Station No. 3A is equipped with two 72” pumps capable of 340,000 GPM. This equates to pumping capacity increases of 164% at No. 1 and 126% at 3A.
Operational cost-saving measures were incorporated through siphonic pumping – a unique method which forms a siphon to move water with reduced engine horsepower requirements, thereby decreasing fuel consumption.
“After witnessing numerous, recent high rivers, SILDD pursued the installation of pumps able to better handle these conditions,” said project manager Gavin Risley, PE, CFM. “The project was very unique due to the size of the pumps, engines, structures, and overall complexity. The Klingner Team is extremely proud of the project, which we believe will provide a great benefit to the District landowners for many years to come.”
SILDD’s new stations safeguard a combined 287 square miles, encompassing 110,000 acres of vital farmland; over 2,770 residents across seven communities; multiple businesses; key rail lines; and IL 57, IL 96, IL 106, and I-72. Effective dewatering is a critical component in the area’s protection.
“These stations are likely the largest in the Upper Mississippi River Basin that are solely dedicated to a drainage and levee district,” said SILDD superintendent Louis Goodwin. “The combination of Klingner’s skills and the knowledge of the Sny Board and landowners resulted in a project that is truly state-of-the-art.”
The 2024 ACEC-IL Engineering Excellence Awards recognized 38 projects by Illinois engineering firms for their achievements. Entries were evaluated based on overall engineering excellence; the work performed by the entering firm; and the project’s uniqueness, value to the engineering profession, design considerations, complexity, and fulfillment of the owner’s needs. Projects were considered in 12 categories covering a wide range of consulting services for Honor, Special Achievement, and Merit Awards. Both awards were presented at the 2024 Engineering Excellence Gala on Feb. 22 in Rosemont, IL.
Pictured above (from left to right): Kelsey Pigg (Klingner), Mike Klingner (Klingner), Brent Freesmeyer (Klingner), Louis Goodwin (SILDD), Mariah Goodwin (SILDD)
