Expanding Capacity for the Future: Council Bluffs Water Works Memorial Tower Replacement
Council Bluffs Water Works (CBWW) is replacing its long-serving Memorial Tower with a new 1.0-million-gallon elevated storage tank, increasing capacity fivefold over the existing 200,000-gallon tower built in 1947. While the original tower remains in good condition, growing system demands and distribution pressures require a substantial increase in elevated storage.
The Snyder & Associates team partnered with CBWW to plan, design, and deliver the new Memorial Tower, guiding the project from early concept through construction administration while helping the utility maintain reliable service throughout construction.
Planning a Modern Replacement
The project began with a conceptual design phase focused on understanding CBWW’s operational needs, long-term growth expectations, and site constraints. Our team evaluated tower sizing, hydraulic performance, and siting options that would support current and future distribution system demands.
With a preferred concept identified, we completed detailed topographic and boundary surveys to support preliminary design. This work informed grading, site layout, and property limits, which were critical given the tight footprint of the existing tower site and the need to keep the existing tower in service.
Geotechnical Investigation & Deep Foundation Design
Once the approximate tower location was set, a geotechnical investigation evaluated subsurface conditions and informed foundation design. Given the significant loads associated with a 1.0-million-gallon elevated tank, minimizing settlement and long-term foundation issues was a key priority.
Based on the geotechnical findings, the design team selected a deep foundation system of augered-cast-in-place (ACIP) piles. This solution provides the necessary support for the new tower, improves long-term performance, and reduces the risk of differential settlement.
Maintaining Operations & Emergency Communications
Because the existing Memorial Tower supports peak water demands during high-use summer periods, CBWW needed to keep it operational while the new tower was built. This requirement introduced phasing and site layout challenges, since the construction period would extend through at least one summer season.
The existing tower is located near the center of the site, leaving limited space for a new structure and construction activities. In addition, Pottawattamie County’s emergency communication system facilities are located in the southeast corner of the site and had to remain fully operational throughout construction. Snyder & Associates coordinated tower siting, access, and construction staging to protect this critical infrastructure and prevent service disruptions.
Proactive Property Acquisition Keeps the Project on Schedule
Because there was not enough space to construct the new tower with the existing tower in place, additional property was required. Our team also supported CBWW through the property acquisition process, helping expand the site to provide sufficient space for the new tower and construction staging. We identified this need early, giving CBWW time to negotiate and secure the land without affecting the construction schedule. This proactive approach helped the project advance smoothly into bidding and construction, avoiding delays that often arise when site constraints are discovered late in design.
Comprehensive Services from Design Through Construction
Beyond planning, survey, and design, Snyder & Associates provided public bidding assistance and continues to support CBWW with construction administration services, including submittal review, field coordination, and progress monitoring. Through careful planning, proactive problem-solving, and close collaboration with Council Bluffs Water Works, the Memorial Tower Replacement project is modernizing elevated storage capacity and supporting a resilient water distribution system for the community’s future.
