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Bluestone Dam Anchor Field Study

Installing the largest rock anchors in the United States

  • 2K+

    Feet Long

  • 165

    Feet

  • Hinton, West Virginia

    Hinton, West Virginia

Getting these samples took more than just planning, it took creativity

Located on the New River in Hinton, the Bluestone Dam area is one of the best white water rafting spots in the country. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) tasked Stantec with conducting geotechnical drilling at the dam while minimizing impacts to flow levels.

The USACE was concerned about scour potential if the dam’s emergency spillway gates were used, so they needed a team capable of drilling in this challenging and risky environment. Our skid-mounted drill rig on a three-legged jackup barge gave us a secure platform for drilling. Because it was secured to the face of the dam at anchor points, the platform was not affected by abrupt water level changes and the anchors were also a failsafe for the barge’s legs.

Borings were drilled to about 150 feet through 25 to 30 feet of water. Eight PQ-3 rock core borings were completed with downhole camera work via a borehole image processing system, which helped analyze rock structure and fracture orientation, and explore voids encountered during drilling.

The result? We were able to get the samples USACE needed safely, on schedule, and without disrupting the communities that rely on the Bluestone Dam for water every day.

At a Glance

Offices
Meet Our Team

Barry Bryant, Senior Principal, Water

Be responsive to the call and challenge yourself to make a difference—to both your clients and the community you live in.

Jeff Dingrando, Principal, Geotechnical Engineering

I enjoy opportunities where we can bring value to our clients, exceed their expectations, and separate ourselves from the competition.
Jeff Dingrando Principal, Geotechnical Engineering Read More

Kurt Schaefer, Principal, Geotechnical Engineering

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. -Thomas Edison
Kurt Schaefer Principal, Geotechnical Engineering Read More

Barry  Bryant

Senior Principal, Water

Jeff Dingrando

Principal, Geotechnical Engineering

Kurt Schaefer

Principal, Geotechnical Engineering

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