These concrete bricks will be used to stop the erosion problem at Roush Lake on the north and south downstream sides. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is currently in charge of the project. Photo by Jessica Williams.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at J.E. Roush Lake is currently installing articulated concrete block mats that will serve as erosion protection on the north and south downstream slopes of J.E. Roush Dam adjacent to the spillway.

While contractors are working in the area, the parking lot in Arrowhead South Recreation Area will remain closed to the public. Work is scheduled to be complete by May 31, 2010. Arrowhead North will remain open to the public, and visitors can park in that area to gain access to the Wabash River.

The dam was originally constructed with riprap erosion protection in the same areas that the concrete block is being installed. Over the life of the dam, the riprap protection deteriorated through freeze thaw cycles and recreational visitors throwing pieces of riprap into the spillway.

The concrete block will be more durable, vandalism proof, and safer for visitors to walk on, officials for the Army Corps of Engineers say.

It is said that there is currently no erosion damage to the dam. The erosion protection is intended to protect the earthen portion of the dam from erosion during very large and infrequent spillway flows should they occur.

Since completion of the dam in 1968, it has not been necessary to utilize the large upper spillway gates to pass flood flows, and all reservoir operations have utilized the smaller capacity sluice gates.