When a structural failure at the Demopolis Lock and Dam in Alabama brought barge traffic to a halt on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), R&D Maintenance, and J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) joined forces to deliver a fast, high-stakes solution. The breach—described by Colonel Jeremy Chapman of USACE as “a hole the size of a school bus”—stopped commercial navigation across two major waterways and threatened economic losses in the millions each month.
Emergency lock and dam repair efforts included underwater demolition, complex concrete work, custom formwork, and heavy marine construction, executed under intense pressure and with extreme care. “We’re essentially building a brand-new dam surface,” said Col. Chapman. “And we’re doing it at record pace.”
Divers worked in near-zero visibility, removing damaged concrete before placing a new sill system underwater. “Measurements were critical,” noted Brennan Superintendent Pat Rude. “With divers unable to see, we developed templates that allowed for precision and verification at every step.” The project also required two specialized concrete mixes: one self-consolidating blend for underwater placement and another traditional mix for surface reinforcement.
“This isn’t a fix you get to be part of often,” said Brennan’s Robert Wheeler. “It’s rare to help solve a problem this vital to the country’s infrastructure. Everyone—from our dive teams to our engineers—stepped up.” The collaboration between Brennan, USACE, and R&D Maintenance was key to keeping the project on track and safe. “There were no egos out here,” said Rude. “Everyone worked toward one goal: getting this lock back online.”
This project is a powerful example of how the right team, deep technical expertise, and innovative problem-solving can deliver critical infrastructure solutions under pressure. Our Demopolis Lock & Dam emergency repair work highlights what’s possible when skilled public and private partners unite with a shared commitment to keeping the nation’s waterways open and moving.
Thank you to all our team members for their work on the Demopolis Lock & Dam. Special thanks to USACE, Mobile District, and R&D Maintenance for making this project possible.
For more details on our dam construction and repair services, visit our Dam Construction service page or connect with our team.
About J.F. Brennan Company
J.F. Brennan Company, Inc. (Brennan) is a family-owned marine construction firm specializing in environmental remediation, dam construction, commercial diving, harbor management, and submarine cable services. Working closely with public and private owners of water-based infrastructure since 1919, Brennan operates throughout coastal and inland waterways nationwide.