Story and photos by Fred Tucker
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 1, 2013) – Maj. Gen. Michael Walsh, deputy commanding general for Civil and Emergency Operations, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was “quite impressed” with his visit to Nashville District July 31, and Aug. 1.
After meeting with Lt. Col. John L. Hudson, district commander, and senior leaders he visited the Center Hill and Old Hickory projects.
“I had a wonderful visit, and was quite impressed with the employees and your projects,” Walsh said. “Nashville District has a wide variety of work and does pretty much everything we do in the Corps,” he added.
Walsh visited the Center Hill Dam Seepage Rehabilitation project in Lancaster, Tenn., where Bauer Foundation Corporation is using their MC 128 Hydrocutter, largest of its type in the world, built especially for this project. The Hydrocutter cuts an approximate 10.5 X 7.25-foot element for the encasement wall in the embankment.
Bauer will drill down 300 feet from the top of the earthen portion of the dam, through the encasement wall and up to 130 feet into rock and construct concrete piles and panels to form the barrier over the next two years, according to Linda Adcock, Nashville District project engineer.
Walsh also toured the Center Hill Hydropower Plant and Resource Manager’s office and met with employees of each facility.
From there, he flew by Tennessee Army National Guard helicopter to the Old Hickory Dam where he toured the lock and met with lock and hydropower plant employees.
At each stop, Walsh complimented employees’ efforts and encouraged them to continue supporting the USACE Campaign Plan’s four goals: Support the Warfighter, Transform Civil Works, Reduce Disaster Risks and Prepare for Tomorrow.
“We have two more months to finish up the fiscal year within budget, so let’s continue with the Campaign Plan,” he said.
Walsh also visited with local officials prior to returning to USACE headquarters in Washington, D.C.