Tunnelling | Swiss tour of duty
Swiss tunnelling expertise has been put under the spotlight and is helping the US Army Corps of Engineers with the design of a flood control project in Alaska
References
USACE staff observe dam infrastructure in Switzerland in preparation for tunnel project in Alaska | Article | The United States Army Story by Cameron McLeod. August 23, 2024.
All information and USACE photos courtesy of Cameron McLeod and the USACE.
Right: Switzerland recently welcomed the Alaska Division of the US Army Corps of Engineers, giving an insight into its dam infrastructure
STAFF FROM THE ALASKA District of the US Army Corps of Engineers recently swapped the glacial landscape of their daily lives in Alaska with those of Switzerland. And after visiting dam projects in Europe, the North American team catalogued their findings to return home with a renewed perspective for the improvement of the Lowell Creek Flood Diversion project, which is set in a mountainous region near Seward. Lowell was the first flood control project to be constructed by USACE in Alaska during the 1940s. Now however, the existing flood diversion system does not adequately manage high water events and improvements are need to ensure continued safety and efficiency. To remedy this, USACE is set to construct an additional 5.4m wide tunnel and refurbish the existing tunnel, enhancing protection for the community of Seward.
Sediment bypass tunnels can act as safety valves for dams that encounter debris such as glacial silt, and which is a common material in many Alaskan waters. Not many worldwide projects employ such tunnels but with its glacial rivers and state-of-the-art dam infrastructure, including extensive use of sediment
Above: The group observed the transition between the granite and basalt at the Pfaffensprung sediment bypass tunnel. Researchers at the Swiss research university used test sections to observe different materials in the same environment and compare their performance in a real-world setting. (Photo by Carly Lynch, USACE)
Right: Wear can be seen on granite pavers in the Pfaffensprung tunnel where the movement of particles through water has caused a groove to form in the material. While granite is one of the most durable materials to be used in this role, it is not immune to the forces exerted by flowing sediment particles. Careful repairs and maintenance are required to keep the tunnel fully operational and effective. (Photo by Jesse Brown, USACE – Huntington District)
22 | January 2025 |
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