Description: The McKinley Lake Restoration Project in Creston, Iowa rehabilitated a lake and dam with high-risk work that included embankment reconstruction and a controlled drawdown. This presentation covers construction observation lessons, balancing design and field conditions, reducing risk through real-time decisions, and coordination to resolve challenges and ensure a successful project.

Author: Carly Wagner, Mark Jacobs

Author Bios: Carly Wagner, PE

Carly Wagner received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in Water Resources and a certificate in sustainability from the University of Iowa. She is a licensed professional engineer with Houston Engineering, Inc. in Iowa City, with over nine years of experience in water resources engineering, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, regulatory permitting, construction administration, and design.

Mark Jacobs, P.E., CFM

Mark Jacobs earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering with an emphasis in Land and Water Resources from Iowa State University. He is a licensed professional engineer and certified floodplain manager with Houston Engineering in Des Moines. With over eight years of experience in water resources engineering, Mark is actively involved in projects spanning flood mitigation, floodplain permitting, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, dam engineering, water quality BMP design, watershed planning, and construction administration throughout the Midwest.