Geophysical Feasibility Study to Identify Signs of Chimney Drain/Drainage Blanket Clogging in Canyon Dam Canyon Lake, Comal County, Texas
Abstract
To determine the feasibility of using geophysical methods for detecting/identifying areas that may be clogged within the chimney drain and/or drainage blanket. A geophysical feasibility study was conducted 18-22 AUG 2015 at Canyon Dam, located in Canyon Lake, Comal County, Texas, by Dr. Janet Simms and Ms. Katie Martin of the Geotechnical Engineering and Geosciences Branch (GEGB), Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL), U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Vicksburg, Mississippi. The survey was conducted at the request of the Geotechnical Branch, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Fort Worth District (SWF). The Fort Worth District point of contact was Ms. Sarwenaj Ashraf. The investigators were assisted by Canyon Lake office personnel Mr. Marcus Schimank, Canyon Lake Manager, and Mr. John Jacobs, CE Technician. Mr. Lucas Walshire, ERDC, provided the modeling results discussed below. Canyon Dam is located at river mile 303.0 on the Guadalupe River about 12 miles (19 km) northwest of New Braunfels, Texas. It is a rolled earth-fill embankment with a core comprised of a well-compacted, high-plasticity material (CH) and an embankment shell constructed of well-compacted CL material. The crest length measures 4,410 ft (1,344 m) and has a height of 224 ft (68 m) at elevation 972.87 ft (296.5 m). Construction of the dam was completed in 1964. The chimney drain extends vertically from the drainage blanket to approximately 31 ft (9.5 m) below the crest (to elevation 943.3 ft/287.5 m) along the length of the dam. The chimney drain is 10 ft (3 m) wide, and its center is located 25 ft (7.6 m) east of the crest centerline. The drainage blanket is 5 ft (1.5 m) thick with its bottom located at elevation 780.3 ft (237.8 m). The filter material consists of processed stone obtained from nearby limestone quarries.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1066195
Entities
People
- Janet Simms
- Katie Martin
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center