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It reads like they designed the spillway to withstand this much water, provided that the ground it rests on doesn't move. Was it a sink-hole under the spillway
by Freestyler_3 10y ago
It reads like they designed the spillway to withstand this much water, provided that the ground it rests on doesn't move.
Was it a sink-hole under the spillway or the force of water broke the concrete and then created the hole?
- nraynaud 10y agoMy understanding from this accident and the Glen canyon dam accident, is that they are not very good at concrete in contact with rushing water. In this last instance, the rushing water is eroding the dirt under the emergency spillway so it will end up forming a bridge. the emergency spillway is a mini-dam, it will just fall if it's not supported. And if it falls, the rushing water will erode the rest of the dirt, lower and lower. The worst case scenario is a complete dam accident (uncontrolled drainage of the lake) that would not even involve the actual dam.
- Freestyler_3 10y agoAh thank you, makes it much clearer. They were dropping rocks with helicopters to slow down the eroding I heard.