Kortes Dam Access Road Rock Scaling & Removal, USBR

Emergency contract to address an unstable rock slide that was blocking access to Kortes Dam. Rock scaled and removed 660 c.y. material from a 150’ section of river bank, extending from water’s edge to 200 ft. up mountainside. Installed rock bolts and replaced guardrail. 

The project involved rock scaling and the removal of approximately 175 cubic yards of granite rock from a nearly vertical cliff. It required the installation of a steel, timber, and sand protective system to prevent damage to an existing duct bank, which contained a 6.9 kV electric line and a fiber optic communications line. Rock stabilization was achieved using 10, 20, and 30-foot long grouted rock bolts installed up to 100 feet above ground, utilizing rope-supported work methods that included a custom-built rock drill.

Installation of gauging structures for eleven reservoirs including shelters & conduit. Work included sheet pile weirs & concrete Parshall flumes. Reservoirs were located in the Medicine Bow Mountains with elevations up to 10,000.

Perform modifications to existing bentonite processing facility, including installing suspended screens, conveyors, bucket elevators, hammermill, truck and rail loadout facilities, and concrete foundations for three each 200 ton silos. 

Excavate unstable slope. Drill 50 each 48" diameter x 45' deep shaft caissons, place concrete and resteel. Construct concrete spread footing and retaining wall. Place riprap along environmentally sensitive river. Backfill wall and reclaim site.