Thursday, November 18, 2010

Corps changing methods for fixing leaky dam

Methods for repairing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' most closely monitored dam have been changed, probably delaying the project and the return to normal level of Lake Cumberland, which normally has the largest volume of water impounded in the Eastern United States. Wolf Creek Dam is on the Cumberland River in Southern Kentucky.

French and Italian contractors for the Corps are installing a concrete curtain in the earthen portion of the dam to stop leaks caused by the erosion of underlying karst limestone. Work was stopped late last winter when movement was detected in the earthen portion near the concrete portion. In September, the Corps said work would resume soon, but today The Times Journal of nearby Russell Springs reports that the Corps has changed its construction techniques in the troublesome area, which will require a new contract, new equipment and probably more time and money.

"A six-month study showed the movements were not the result of deep-seated sliding of the embankment, but rather shallow movements attributed to several other causes. . . . The Corps will negotiate contract modifications over the next few months, officials said. The contractor will begin to procure the necessary equipment and casing which will be fabricated and mobilized to the site over a period of five to eight months," The Times Journal reports. For more background, go here.

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