Project Challenges

Fort Randall Dam, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Omaha District, is a major multipurpose dam on the Missouri River at River Mile 880.0, located near Pickstown, South Dakota.

The severe 2011 Missouri River flood—driven by record rainfall and snowpack—impacted the Tainter gates at Fort Randall Dam (21 gates). Rehabilitation was required while the dams remained fully operational for flood control, hydropower, and reservoir management, under fluctuating water levels, restricted access, and high-stakes environmental sensitivity adjacent to the reservoir.

Key challenges included:

• Conducting detailed structural evaluations from rope access techniques on the Tainter gates in elevated, confined, and high-risk zones—requiring rappelling/rope access for hands-on inspections of gate, trunnions, anchorages, and components, followed by rapid integration of field data (including coupon samples, measurements, and observations) into accurate 3D structural models to assess integrity, identify hidden damage, and prioritize repairs without delaying the schedule
• Performing wire rope removal, tensioning, and replacement on gate hoist systems in a live, wet environment without interrupting dam operations.
• Weld repairs following AWS D1.5M
• Complete replacement of deteriorated J-bulb seals to restore watertight integrity.
• Implementing full AMPP Class 1A containment with negative-pressure abrasive blasting and complete paint removal/coating protocols in an environmentally sensitive area directly bordering the reservoir, while preventing any releases or impacts to water quality.
• Coordinating and overseeing a multifaceted design-build team—including structural engineering design (Black & Veatch), other subcontractors, and USACE stakeholders—amid aggressive schedules, real-time field conditions, and the need for seamless integration of inspections, repairs, and testing.

These demands required exceptional self-performance capability, innovative on-site solutions, rigorous safety/environmental controls, and strong project management to deliver without compromising dam functionality or regional water/flood needs.

How We Delivered

Through a strategic design-build partnership, Paragon—working closely with Black & Veatch (structural engineering design services)—delivered comprehensive rehabilitation of the 21 tainter gates, restoring structural integrity, operational reliability, and long-term resilience.

Paragon self-performed 100% of the AMPP Class 1A containment setup, negative-pressure abrasive blasting, and full paint removal with advanced coating application protocols—all executed while the dams remained in active service with no interruptions to flood control or hydropower operations.

Paragon also assumed 100% project management responsibility, overseeing the entire design engineering firm (Black & Veatch), all subcontractors, field operations, and coordination with the USACE Omaha District Design Office and prime team. This centralized leadership ensured unified execution, rapid decision-making, and alignment across scopes.

To navigate live conditions and environmental constraints, Paragon deployed customized work platforms, specialized rigging systems, real-time reservoir level monitoring, and in-house AMPP-certified teams. These innovations enabled safe, efficient work in elevated/wet environments and full containment/blasting without environmental releases.

The project achieved outstanding results: zero lost-time incidents, zero environmental incidents, and completion 12 months ahead of schedule—delivering exceptional value to USACE, minimizing downstream impacts, and supporting regional water supply and flood protection needs.

This collaborative effort with the USACE set a benchmark for safe, high-performance infrastructure rehabilitation on active Missouri River dams.