Construction and Verification of Ground Improvements at Mormon Island Auxiliary Dam

by Michael G. Stevens, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Boise, United States,
Matthew G. Allen, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Boise, United States,
Jefferey A. Farrar, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Boise, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Geotechnical Practice in Dam Rehabilitation

Abstract:

Mormon Island Auxiliary Dam, part of the Folsom Dam and Reservoir Project near Sacramento, California, is founded on alluvial materials that were dredged and processed for gold on several occasions in the first half of the century. The dredging process redeposited the alluvium in an extremely loose condition. Corps of Engineers (COE) safety of dams investigations indicated that extensive liquefaction was expected, and catastrophic loss of reservoir could result, under earthquake loading. A low reservoir level in 1990 due to drought conditions allowed access to the upstream area requiring remediation without implementing reservoir restrictions. Dynamic compaction was selected to at least partially remediate the relatively coarse-grained dredged alluvium. Specialized dynamic compaction equipment was required to accomplish the specified work in the limited timeframe available for construction.

Subject Headings: Soil liquefaction | Compacted soils | Reservoirs | Construction materials | Dams | Dam foundations | Construction equipment | California | United States

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