Geologic and Seismologic Investigation
Abstract
As a result of the Dam Safety Assurance Program (DSAP), all dams constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers are being reviewed to determine their performance based on current state-of-the-art in civil engineering design and hydrology. Among the parameters included is the reaction of each dam and its appurtenances to seismic loading. The seismic design parameters of Federal water projects constructed in and along the eastern Sacramento-San Joaquin Valleys and the western Sierra Nevada Foothill region of California are of particular interest due to the occurrence of the August 1, 1975 Oroville, California 5.7 Richter magnitude earthquake and ground rupture. This earthquake occurred on the Foothills fault system, which may extend through the Sierran foothills from east of Red Bluff in the north to as far south as Porterville, California. Hidden and Buchanan Dams are located within 31 miles (50 km) and 22 miles (35 km) respectively of the mapped southern termini of the Melones and the Bear Mountains fault zones, which are major constituents of the Foothills fault system. Geologic evaluation of Quaternary age stratigraphy such as exists in the Hidden and Buchanan Dams study area was used to ascertain whether faults in the area have undergone movement within the last 35,000 years. Any movement since this time frame would necessitate considering such faults as being capable of producing future earthquakes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA425121
Entities
People
- Frances J. Sweeney
Organizations
- Sacramento District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers