Title:
Bonneville Dam Stilling Basin Repaired after 17 Years' Service
Author(s):
Roy R. Clark
Publication:
Journal Proceedings
Volume:
52
Issue:
4
Appears on pages(s):
821-838
Keywords:
no keywords
DOI:
10.14359/11651
Date:
4/1/1956
Abstract:
Bonneville Dam has passed apporximately 1,000,000 cu ft per sec, believed to be a record for any dam so far as volume of water is concerned. When the project was designed and constructed, 1934 to 1938, the board of consulting engineers in approving the design predicted that the baffles designed to absorb part of the energy of the large annual flood of the Columbia River would require renewal at 15-year intervals. The condition of the concrete in the stilling basin was observed throughout the 17-year period following completion, and in 1954 a cofferdam was constructed and one-half of the stilling basin was unwatered. When seen for the first time, the concrete was in better condition then expected, based on divers' reports. Special tests and hydraulic model experiments were conducted to determine to what extent conditions could be improved. Repair work was completed and the cofferdam removed before the 1955 seasonal high water.