Spencer Dam collapse may be first in nation caused by giant ice chunks, inspector says
Source: Omaha World Herald
By Paul Hammel
SPENCER — The state's top dam safety official says that huge chunks of ice — some weighing more than a full-sized pickup — played a leading role in the collapse of northern Nebraska's Spencer Dam.
Tim Gokie, chief engineer of the state's dam safety program, said it may be the first dam failure in the nation related to ice flows. That ice, carried by epic floodwaters, likely caused the 92-year-old concrete-and-earthen dam to wash out last month, rather than old age or any deficiencies identified in state inspections.
"With age comes problems with any infrastructure — steel corrodes, concrete deteriorates over time," Gokie said. "But there's no indication that any of that led to the failure of the dam."
The collapse of the 29-foot-high dam unleashed a wall of water 11 feet to 15 feet in height, washing away a home, several trailers, and a unique straw-bale saloon/bait shop located just below it. The body of Kenny Angel, who lived in the home, has yet to be found amid the debris and ice chucks cast downstream.
Read more: https://www.omaha.com/news/plus/spencer-dam-collapse-may-be-first-in-nation-caused-by/article_e0af7571-9264-5691-bd5c-344f4e940e85.html
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