Engineering Meets Aesthetics

Because it was built on an existing body of water, our staff developed special construction techniques to complete this facility – part of a project to supply water to 1,200 rural water users near Hot Springs.

The Vicksburg District Corps of Engineers also required special permits for this project to address both environmental and aesthetic concerns. Because Lake DeGray is a recreational area as well as a potable-water source, the intake was designed to blend with the natural surroundings. In fact, it had to meet additional, exacting Corps requirements for the exterior design of the intake, including both the color scheme and the construction materials used.

Co-Existing with Nature

As with most fresh water intake structures, the primary challenge for this project was to design and plan for underwater construction. In order to meet state and federal environmental requirements, our staff dealt with additional, special design and construction considerations, too. Our designs also reduced the environmental impact of the project by including perches for eagles to mitigate the loss of habitat caused by the project.