ASDSO Dam Safety Toolbox

Anticipate dewatering problems in advance

From ASDSO Dam Safety Toolbox
Jump to: navigation, search

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

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Well point system.

  • Godwin Wellpoint Pump

    Godwin Wellpoint Pump

  • With the site properly dewatered construction was able to proceed on schedule

    With the site properly dewatered construction was able to proceed on schedule


Note: The content on this page was originally created as part of DamOutletWorks.org (DOWL, 2018). It has subsequently been updated and reformatted as part of the Dam Safety Toolbox.
Revision ID: 4769
Revision Date: 12/02/2022

Retrieved from "https://damtoolbox.org/index.php?title=Anticipate_dewatering_problems_in_advance&oldid=4769"