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Geotechnical Characterizations for the Proposed Watana Dam Site on the Susitna River, Alaska
The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) has been authorized by the State of Alaska to develop the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project on the Susitna River, approximately 60 miles northeast of Talkeetna, Alaska. The purpose of the project is to help meet the future electrical needs of Alaska's Railbelt region. As currently envisioned, the project would include a single dam approximately 700 feet tall with a 20,000 acre, 42-mile-long reservoir located below Watana Creek. Under one option, the dam will be constructed of roller compacted concrete (RCC) and have the capacity to generate 600 megawatts. If constructed, it will be the largest dam and reservoir in the state and one of the few sub-arctic RCC dams in the world. To assist with the design of the project, geotechnical investigations were conducted to characterize the subsurface conditions at the dam site, related structures, potential material sites, and reservoir. The objective of this paper is to provide a brief overview and history of this project, the geologic and geotechnical investigations that have been conducted since the late 1970's, the general geotechnical conditions (including permafrost) in the vicinity of the proposed dam, and the logistical constraints associated with carrying out geotechnical investigations at such a remote location. This remote proposed dam is sited on a narrow reach of the river bound by canyon walls composed primarily of igneous intrusive bedrock, chiefly diorite. Subsurface investigations in the early 1980's determined that bedrock under the river channel is overlain by approximately 90 feet of coarse alluvial sediments. Borehole instrumentation indicates presence of localized permafrost on north-facing slopes. Investigative efforts at the site were complicated by a number of constraints including its location being more than 35 miles from the nearest road and 60 miles from the nearest town, need for helicopter access, severe winter conditions, and wildlife issues.
Geotechnical Characterizations for the Proposed Watana Dam Site on the Susitna River, Alaska
The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) has been authorized by the State of Alaska to develop the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project on the Susitna River, approximately 60 miles northeast of Talkeetna, Alaska. The purpose of the project is to help meet the future electrical needs of Alaska's Railbelt region. As currently envisioned, the project would include a single dam approximately 700 feet tall with a 20,000 acre, 42-mile-long reservoir located below Watana Creek. Under one option, the dam will be constructed of roller compacted concrete (RCC) and have the capacity to generate 600 megawatts. If constructed, it will be the largest dam and reservoir in the state and one of the few sub-arctic RCC dams in the world. To assist with the design of the project, geotechnical investigations were conducted to characterize the subsurface conditions at the dam site, related structures, potential material sites, and reservoir. The objective of this paper is to provide a brief overview and history of this project, the geologic and geotechnical investigations that have been conducted since the late 1970's, the general geotechnical conditions (including permafrost) in the vicinity of the proposed dam, and the logistical constraints associated with carrying out geotechnical investigations at such a remote location. This remote proposed dam is sited on a narrow reach of the river bound by canyon walls composed primarily of igneous intrusive bedrock, chiefly diorite. Subsurface investigations in the early 1980's determined that bedrock under the river channel is overlain by approximately 90 feet of coarse alluvial sediments. Borehole instrumentation indicates presence of localized permafrost on north-facing slopes. Investigative efforts at the site were complicated by a number of constraints including its location being more than 35 miles from the nearest road and 60 miles from the nearest town, need for helicopter access, severe winter conditions, and wildlife issues.
Geotechnical Characterizations for the Proposed Watana Dam Site on the Susitna River, Alaska
Dugan, Robert G. (author) / Cannon, Eric C. (author) / Garrigus, Andrew P. (author)
10th International Symposium on Cold Regions Development ; 2013 ; Anchorage, Alaska, United States
ISCORD 2013 ; 667-677
2013-06-04
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
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