Workers are using ground penetrating radar to survey damage underneath the Gavins Point dam from last years extensive flooding.

The radar is being used to assess the damage to see if any repairs will be needed to the frost blanket beneath the concrete.

The dam is the last leg of a series of reservoirs along the Missouri River designed for water control.  The Gavins Point dam is located in South Dakota.

Some preliminary test suggest some of the granular, sand-like, material may have been removed by the massive release amounts of runoff water from the dam.

Last years massive water releases led to flooding along the Missouri River basin with extensive flooding and damage to property and cropland in northwest Missouri.  Many area’s are still cleaning up the mess left behind once the water receded last fall.

If repairs are needed, Army Corps of Engineers officials say the would start this summer and be completed before the 2013 runoff season.  The spillway would remain functional for use during those repairs.