Anticipate dewatering problems in advance

Message: Wells are only effective if they are strategically placed and coordinated with each other

Lake Frances Dam was built in 1909, is 64 feet high, and stores 105,000 acre feet. Lake frances was ungoing a major rehab of the outlet works – involved replacement of the upstream section and sliplining the downstream section with steel pipe. A canal company was responsible for earthwork and dewatering and a contractor was hired for the sliplining operations.

Lessons learned:

Dewatering can make or break a project, especially with fall construction – anticipate problems in advance
You can tell right away if your dewatering system isn't working – don’t delay in trying something else.
Calling in the experts can save you money in the long run.
Wells are only effective if they are strategically placed and coordinated with each other

Lake Frances Dam New Intake Tower
The reservoir was drained down to dead pool, but ponding water was still a big problem. A couple of wells were drilled to dewater the site. These proved to be ineffective.
After over a month delay, with winter rapidly approaching, serious action was necessary. Godwin Wellpoint pumps were called in. They arrived with high powered pumps and set up a wellpoint system.
Well point system.
Godwin Wellpoint Pump
With the site properly dewatered construction was able to proceed on schedule

Revision ID: 1677
Revision Date: 06/27/2022