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Portadam Installation at Hydro Dam: Innovative Solutions for a Changing World

Posted by Sam Stemper on March 04, 2024

We were contracted to replace flashboards and perform apron scour repairs at a hydroelectric dam along the Rock River in the Upper Midwest. Our client is a privately owned entity that owns and operates 80+ hydroelectric facilities throughout the United States.

The project’s significant goals involved increasing the dam’s retainage capacity, protecting the existing spillway structure, and providing an aesthetically pleasing spillway for the community's residents. This project was scheduled for the summer months when flow rates are at their lowest, mainly due to the volatility of the Rock River and the need for a slow-moving current to keep our divers safe. 

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Minnesota Power Hydro Dam: The New Era of Renewable Energy

Posted by Kimberly Walters on February 12, 2024

We're at Minnesota Power's hydroelectric dam in Scanlon, Minnesota, to replace 7 of the structure's Tainter gates. Extending the life of this renewable energy source by 50 to 100 years, the Scanlon Dam Gate Replacement Project enables the further creation of clean, renewable power provided to local communities. 

We were pulled into the project very early on during the design phase of the project. Both Brennan and Minnesota Power attribute the project's success to early contractor involvement.

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Underwater Acoustic Deterrent System: Upgrades to Protect the Great Lakes from Invasive Carp

Posted by Kimberly Walters on January 18, 2024

We are at the Lock and Dam 19 facility in Keokuk, Iowa, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Our team replaced an 18,000-LB, 105-FT underwater soundbar with wet-mateable connections (cables and speakers that can be connected and disconnected underwater). This underwater acoustic deterrent system (UADS) upgrade allows divers to replace individual speakers if underperforming rather than continuing to remove the entire system.

Why? The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is spearheading a 3-year study to reduce the number of invasive carp moving toward the Great Lakes. It is the only study on the Mississippi River evaluating a deterrent for invasive carp. 

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J.F. Brennan Company Brennan Accepts Outstanding Philanthropic Organization Award

Posted by Kimberly Walters on December 13, 2023

J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) is honored to accept this year's award for Outstanding Philanthropic Organization from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Upper Mississippi Valley Chapter. The chapter represents nonprofit organizations throughout Southwestern Wisconsin, Northern Iowa, and Southeastern Minnesota.

 

Brennan’s work brings us all incredible pride and purpose as we serve clients throughout the inland and purpose as we serve clients throughout the inland and coastal waterways. Through this work, we receive opportunities to truly become part of the fabric of the communities in which we operate by giving back." says Chief Operating Officer Mike Binsfeld. 

 

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Inspiring the Next Generation of Builders: Coming Together for Kids in Construction

Posted by Kimberly Walters on September 20, 2023

J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) collaborated with The Boys & Girls Club of Greater La Crosse (Boys & Girls Club), Wieser Brothers General Contractor, Inc., and Mathy Construction to bring the expansive construction world to Boys & Girls Club members. The annual event is called Kids in Construction.

Club members explored Brennan’s amphibious equipment and commercial dive gear, tested out life as a chemist working in a water treatment lab, and experienced a career working in a support role in the construction industry. Our Brennan team members were on hand to answer all their questions and share more about the exciting world of construction. In this video, Boys & Girls Club CEO Jake Erickson shares his views on Brennan and the benefits of Kids In Construction.

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J.F. Brennan Company Earns 2023 Great Place To Work Certification™

Posted by Kimberly Walters on August 24, 2023

J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place To Work® for the 7th year in a row. The respected award is based entirely on current employees' experience working at Brennan. 87% of employees said it's a great workplace – 30 points higher than the average U.S. company.

"By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that Brennan stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees," says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, the Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. 

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Hydropower Expert Aims to Bridge Gap in Renewable Energy Market

Posted by Kimberly Walters on March 01, 2023

J.F. Brennan Company, Inc. (Brennan) announces the promotion of Christopher Rousseau, P.E., F. ASCE to Hydro and Renewable Energy Market Leader. Rousseau’s promotion is announced concurrently with Brennan’s strategic objective to further invest in renewable energy development.

Rousseau will use decades of experience in hydroelectric generation working for Midwest-based utility, Minnesota Power, to support the repair and rehabilitation needs of Brennan’s hydro dam clients. Catering to a huge need for early contractor involvement; Rousseau is bridging the gap between hydroelectric dam owners, engineers, and the contractor teams that perform inspections, maintenance, and rehabilitation work.

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Repairing Fish Guidance Nets at a Hydropower Dam

Posted by Lauren Collins, Senior Project Manager on January 20, 2023

Our Pacific Northwest crew mobilized at a hydroelectric facility to repair a fish guidance net at Upper Baker Dam. Upper Baker Dam is 1 of 2 hydroelectric dams on Baker River, near Concrete, WA. The entire Baker River Hydroelectric Project covers nearly 300 square miles.

Upper Baker Dam, a 312-foot-high concrete gravity dam completed in 1959, has a floating surface collector system responsible for attracting and safely holding juvenile salmon for downstream transport around the dam. We supplied dive and topside support teams to assist the prime contractor with the recovery, disassembly, and installation of a new floatation collar on the existing barrier net. This is an essential repair to ensure safe fish passage around the dam.

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Brennan and UW-La Crosse Announce New Partnership

Posted by Kimberly Walters on October 19, 2022

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) and J.F. Brennan Company, Inc. (Brennan) formally announce their partnership. The agreement between Brennan and UWL will further the educational opportunities for students studying environmental science, equipping them to start on the job right after they graduate.

Brennan is partnering with UWL to support student research and curriculum, and to strengthen the talent pipeline, both locally and within the environmental services industry.

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Brennan a Best Workplace in Construction, Ranked 14th Nationally

Posted by Kimberly Walters on September 20, 2022

La Crosse, WI — Great Place to Work® and Fortune have honored J.F. Brennan Company, Inc. (Brennan) as one of the Best Workplaces in Construction. This is Brennan’s first time being named to this prestigious list, coming in at 14th place among small and mid-size companies. Earning a spot means that Brennan is one of the best companies to work for in the country.

The Best Workplaces in Construction award is based on the analysis of survey responses from over 25,000 employees from Great Place to Work-Certified companies in the construction industry. In that survey, 88% of Brennan’s employees said the company is a great place to work. This number is 31 points higher than the average U.S. company.

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