Dam retrofit in California focuses on seismic stability

April 3, 2012
Black & Veatch will lead Santa Clara Valley Water District's urgent $150 million seismic retrofit program for Anderson Dam, which will enable the water district to again use the dam for maximum water supply storage when completed in 2018...

SAN JOSE, CA, Apr. 3, 2012 -- Black & Veatch will lead Santa Clara Valley Water District's urgent seismic retrofit program for Anderson Dam. The $150 million program will enable the water district to again use the dam for maximum water supply storage when completed in 2018.

More Info
• Constructed in 1950, Anderson Reservoir is the largest of the county's 10 reservoirs, accounting for approximately half of the District's surface water storage capacity, when full.

• Anderson Dam forms Anderson Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Santa Clara County with a capacity of more than 90,000 acre-feet or 29 billion gallons.

• Like the other reservoirs, Anderson Lake provides incidental flood protection, environmental and recreational benefits in addition to water supply for the county.

• Anderson Dam is located approximately one mile from the Calaveras Fault.

• The California Division of Safety of Dams and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission classified the Anderson dam as a "high-hazard structure." The agencies have approved the district's voluntary water level restrictions.

• The reservoir is currently operating at 68 percent of capacity due to water level restrictions established for public safety.

• The seismic strengthening will most likely consist of partially removing liquefiable material and buttressing the dam. The project will also verify the adequacy of the spillway, outlet works, and existing surveillance systems.

• The zoned rockfill and earthfill dam has a maximum height of about 240 feet, and the dam crest (the developed length of the top of the dam) is approximately 1,400 feet.
Following a seismic stability evaluation in 2011, the water district implemented self-imposed water level restrictions on the dam, which were later approved by regulators. The evaluation revealed the dam is subject to significant damage if a large earthquake were to occur nearby. To protect downstream communities from the potential uncontrolled release of water, the reservoir will operate at 68 percent capacity until improvements are completed.

"Completing the project on schedule is crucial for both public safety and effective water resource management," said Jim Fiedler, Santa Clara Valley Water District Chief Operating Officer. "One of the program management team's most important responsibilities is to make sure that happens."

As program manager, Black & Veatch will work with a team of local small business subcontractors to oversee planning, permitting, design and construction of improvements for the dam.

"Our goal is to minimize community and environmental impacts as well as complete the project in a timely and cost-effective manner," said Jim Watson, Black & Veatch Program Manager. "Anderson Reservoir is an integral part of Santa Clara County's surface water supply system. It also provides incidental flood management and recreational benefits as well as habitat for a host of threatened and endangered species, some of which only are found within the county at this dam site."

About Black & Veatch
Black & Veatch is an employee-owned, global leader in building Critical Human Infrastructure™ in Energy, Water, Telecommunications and Government Services. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people in over 100 countries through consulting, engineering, construction, operations and program management. Our revenues in 2011 were US$2.6 billion. Follow us on www.bv.com and in social media.

###

Sponsored Recommendations

WIN-911 Alarm Notification Software Enables Faster Response

March 15, 2024
Alarm notification software enables faster response for customers, keeping production on track

Automated Fresh Water Treatment

March 15, 2024
SCADA, Automation and Control for Efficient and Compliant Operations

Digital Transformation Enables Smart Water

March 15, 2024
During this webinar we will discuss factors driving the transformation to digital water, water industry trends, followed by a summary of solutions (products & services) available...

Smart Water Solutions: Transforming the Water Universe

March 15, 2024
Water is our most valuable resource, and efficient and effective water and wastewater handling is crucial for municipalities. As industry experts, you face a number of challenges...