Drainage Pump Stations

BKI was selected by the East Ascension Parish Consolidated Gravity Drainage District for the expansion of the 5000 CFS Marvin Braud Pumping Station.

The 2000 CFS expansion included bays for two vertical 1000 CFS “flowerpot” design pumps with USACE Type 10 formed suction inlet intake. The pumps are each driven by 2250 horsepower diesel engines through one parallel and one right angle gear, with both engine and gear being liquid cooled through submerged keel type heat exchangers.

Additional mechanical systems include climber type bar screen cleaners; diesel and electrical air compressor and air tanks to provide engine starting air; numerous ventilation fans and louvers to remove engine heat; and three 15,000 fuel tanks, piping, and accessories.

The local soil capacity allowed the station's reinforced concrete foundation to be constructed without the use of piles. Station intake wings were constructed with steel sheet piles, while the intake bays, exterior and interior below water walls and operating slab are concrete to provide a solid foundation for the machinery. The main operating area is contained within a pre-manufactured steel superstructure supported by BKI-engineered steel framing. An elevated safe room designed to provide large missile and high wind protection is attached and includes full kitchen and bathroom areas to allow potential prolonged residence.

All structural components are design to IBC standards, applying calculated wind loads forces. The safe room also incorporates certain Miami-Dade design elements.

BKI was contracted by the West Jefferson Levee District to design improvements to the Cousins Drainage Pump Station Complex.

BKI completed two projects at the complex. First, we designed an additional 2,000 CFS of pumping capacity by adding a new pumping station with a pile-supported intake basin and concrete discharge tubes, a steel-framed superstructure, and two 1,000 CFS horizontal pumps with diesel engine drives. The project required relocating existing fuel tanks and rerouting fuel lines to maintain flow to the existing pump station during construction.

BKI also designed the construction of reinforced concrete floodwalls along the banks of the Cousins discharge channel downstream from the Cousins Pump Station. 

To facilitate installation of the channel’s float-in, prefabricated concrete culvert, a 36-inch water line was relocated over new floodwalls that extended from the culvert walls. The new floodwalls, discharge channel improvements, and culvert provide continuous hurricane protection along the discharge channel until the canal flow discharges into the Harvey Canal.

Additionally, BKI provided engineering support services to ensure that improvements were made according to the plans and specifications.

The construction cost for both projects was approximately $22.8 million.    

BKI was selected by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to prepare the preliminary and final plans for the construction of a new 850 CFS drainage pumping station designed to reduce flooding on Interstate 10 in New Orleans. 

The new pumping station was designed to keep the interstate from flooding during a 100-year flood event. 

The pumping station consisted of three 72-inch vertical pumps and one 48-inch vertical pump. Flood waters were pumped over land through four steel pipes and across the levee into the 17th Street Canal.

In order to collect the storm water and transport it to the pumping station, the existing subsurface drainage system was replaced with a new collection system. The new drainage system is made up of 2,000 linear feet of 84-inch concrete pipe and various trench drains and catch basins to intercept the storm water, as well as a new 1,200-foot-long intake canal consisting of two 8.5-foot-by-10-foot concrete box culverts.

The approximate total construction cost was more than $18 million.