Griffin Fluid Management Solutions

Columbia Locks and Dam Emergency Seepage Repairs Project

Columbia, Louisiana

CLIENT

Massman Construction Group

ENGINEER

US Army Corps of Engineers

TIME

2018-2020

REVENUE

$1,025,000

GRIFFIN DIFFERENCE

We delivered a successful relief well system that can be used for future flood events and transformed the well system into a temporary pressure relief dewatering system to allow for the repair of the lock and dam. Our broad array of experience and expertise utilized extensive supplier relationships and unique means and methods to complete this exciting project within the tight time-frame and under budget.

THE CHALLENGE

Columbia Lock and Dam needed repair as water had found its way around the lock and dam, and, with no ability to control the river, all boat/barge transit was shut down until the emergency repair was completed. The geology beneath the lock was a mix of sand and clay and had the potential for large voids, which drastically increased the difficulty of drilling. The relief wells that had to be installed needed to terminate at least 30 ft. below the top of the monolith to allow for lateral drainage back into the lock/river.

THE SOLUTION

Griffin was contracted to install 17 relief wells along the dock’s land-side and perform seven additional exploratory borings on the river-side of the lock. The 17 wells were installed to an approximate depth of 95 ft. using the roto-sonic drilling method. A 14 borehole was advanced inside of the preformed, sand-filled cylindrical voids in the concrete lock monolith. The casing stopped about 30 feet below the top of the monolith to allow for horizontal drains to be connected back into the lock. Every well was test pumped, and a semi-permanent pumping system was designed and installed.