The purpose of this project was to reconstruct the Fern Ridge Dam by excavating more than 400,000 CY of existing embankment, installing a new internal drainage system, and then rebuilding the dam. This earthen dam, built in the 1940s, was determined to be in the early stages of erosion and piping failure late in 2005. Investigators discovered three sinkholes on the downstream side, leading them to conclude that the internal piping and filter drain system needed immediate replacement. This determination demanded a fast-track schedule for Barnard Construction to complete repairs before the start of the 2005/2006 flood control season.

Barnard installed a dozen new manholes and lateral piping, 71,992 CY of filter sand, and 46,885 CY of drain gravel for the new drain collection system, and then reconstructed the embankment. The project also involved installation of an extensive dewatering and instrumentation system alongside the excavation to determine groundwater levels and to monitor the stability of the dam as it was excavated and rebuilt. In addition, Barnard constructed impoundment dikes inside the reservoir. Besides providing flood control, the dam and reservoir are used for irrigation and recreation.