The Fort Wayne Flood Control Projects for the Detroit District Army Corps of Engineers alleviated flooding that had plagued the Fort Wayne, Indiana area for years.  Three major rivers converged at the center of the project.  The existing flood control structures were insufficient to control the water and had to be either rebuilt or replaced with higher and more substantial structures. E.S. Wagner served as the prime contractor on three contracts to correct these issues.

Using 175,000 cubic yards of clay material, the existing clay dikes were raised and protected with 155,000 tons of rip rap armor stone.  In areas where there was insufficient room to expand the clay dikes, 5,500 linear feet of concrete floodwalls ranging from 5’ to 15’ in height were constructed. All of the existing drainage structures entering the river were replaced and protected with gate wells or flap gates.  All water lines or sanitary lines under the new dikes were replaced and adjacent roadways were reconstructed or repaved.

During the construction of the third contract, the city of Fort Wayne decided to provide bike and walking trails on the top of the dikes along with extensive landscaping and beautification.  Working closely with the City and the Army Corps of Engineers, E.S. Wagner was able to complete this work with in the original contract schedule.

During the four year period of these contracts, E.S. Wagner worked over 150,000 man hours without a single lost time accident. This record earned E.S. Wagner Company the Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District Contractor Safety Award for three consecutive years.  On the fourth year, E.S. Wagner was honored with the Army Corps of Engineers National Safety Award.