Engineers evaluate best fix for failing levee

Klamath Falls Herald and News

June 8, 2008

   Engineers have suggested many solutions for reinforcing local levees. 

   After the 2006 Geary levee failure, the Running Y Resort decided to build a berm farther out in the lake. The berm helps lessen the impact of waves hitting the levees. 

   The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Oregon Water Resources Department have suggested a similar solution for the Moore Park levee that is beginning to fail. 

   Another suggestion has been to “sheet pile” the levee — pushing a sheet of metal down into the levee from the top to prevent water from traveling through it. This is believed to be a more costly fix. 

   Currently, crews are trying to strengthen the Moore Park levee by laying more drainage rock and a porous fabric along both of the levees to lessen the flow of water. They don’t want to block all of it, because it could create more pressure, causing water to leak elsewhere. 

   Another solution mentioned when the leaks were discovered was to make a sandbag tower on the land side of the levee to create a well that would equalize the water pressure on both sides. The idea was nixed. 

   Constant monitoring, rodent abatement and vegetation control also are planned.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted
material  herein is distributed without profit or payment to those who have
expressed  a  prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit
research and  educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

Source:  http://pioneer.olivesoftware.com/Daily/Skins/heraldandnews/

navigator.asp?skin=heraldandnews