Independent Panel Named to Investigate Missouri Reservoir Failure
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has named an independent panel of consultants to assist FERC dam safety engineers in a forensic engineering examination of the factors that contributed to the failure of the Taum Sauk Reservoir near Lesterville, Mo. The upper reservoir of the 450-MW pumped-storage hydroelectric project, owned by St. Louis-based AmerenUE, collapsed before dawn Dec. 14, spilling more than 1 billion gals of water down the side of Proffit Mountain, knocking one house off its foundation and injuring three children among its five occupants.
The members of the panel are Alfred J. Hendron Jr., Savoy, Ill., a self-employed consulting geotechnical engineer; Joseph L. Ehasz, Washington Group International, a geotechnical engineer, and Kermit Pul Jr., a mechanical/electrical engineer. When the reservoir wall collapsed, FERC dispatched five of its own engineers to investigate. Four remain a week later, and the three independent engineers will investigate next week, say FERC officials.