Approximately three months into the project, it became evident that the 12ft tall, 25ft wide (fully filled), 440ft long double closed end (DCE) AquaDam® was not adequately sized for the conditions of this tidally influenced San Francisco Bay project. A king tide generated approximately eight feet of water depth, which, combined with several feet of soft mud, caused the area to flood and the 12ft tall DCE AquaDam® to float. A 12ft tall AquaDam® has a maximum capacity of 100 inches (or 8ft) of combined mud and water depth.

The updated strategy entails the installation of a 16ft tall, 33ft wide, 570ft long Single Closed End (SCE) AquaDam®. A starting bank was constructed to facilitate this installation. For the correct deployment of an SCE AquaDam®, it is critical that the starting bank maintains the open end at an elevation exceeding the full height of the AquaDam®. The open end and fill-tubes of an SCE AquaDam® must retain an elevated position relative to the dam's full height throughout its intended path. The AquaDam®'s maximum height will be attained exclusively at the lowest elevation along its designated path.

AquaDams® are delivered rolled up, similar in appearance to a carpet roll wrapped around a wooden beam. Each unit is carefully enclosed in protective covering and equipped with lifting ropes or straps to facilitate safe and efficient handling. In this instance, the log used to roll the AquaDam® still had its bark intact. To prevent bark fragments from breaking off and entering the water, AquaDam® Inc. applied an additional protective wrapping around the log.

The 16ft tall SCE AquaDam® has been positioned at its starting bank, oriented correctly for deployment down the slope.

Prior to launching and filling the 16ft tall SCE AquaDam® with water, workers secured its open end to anchors, such as heavy equipment or concrete blocks, to prevent unintentional movement.

Workers sliced a hole in the 12ft tall DCE AquaDam® and began filling the 16ft tall SCE AquaDam® installing it directly over the path of the DCE unit. The hole allowed the water that was trapped inside to escape and the larger AquaDam® to traverse over top of it.

The 16ft tall SCE AquaDam® is actively being filled with Bay water as crews prepare ropes and establish anchor points to guide the structure into its intended position. Personnel must remain attentive to tidal fluctuations, which affect water levels during deployment.

The 16ft tall SCE AquaDam® continues to be filled. It is imperative that the starting bank's elevation surpasses the AquaDam's fully filled height at the lowest point of its planned trajectory. This elevation differential is a fundamental design requirement for effective deployment.

As the AquaDam® fills with water, the roll end is drawn toward the lowest point of the water system, initiating the unrolling process. Ropes are used to guide and control the deployment, ensuring the AquaDam® follows the intended path into position.

Workers used a rope secured to the log on which the AquaDam® was rolled to help maneuver the unit over and around the previously installed AquaDams®.

Installing an AquaDam® may require several hundred feet of rope or more, depending on site conditions and deployment requirements.

The 570ft long SCE AquaDam® is nearing its ending bank. Maintaining sufficient head pressure within the body of the unit is critical throughout the installation process. In flowing water conditions, additional head is required to ensure stability and prevent displacement.

The 16ft tall, 570ft long SCE AquaDam® has reached its ending bank, though several feet remain to be unrolled and thousands of gallons of water are still required to complete the fill.

Orange sandbags were placed around a concrete structure, previously obscured by brush, to protect the AquaDam® from its abrasive edges.

With the 16ft tall SCE AquaDam® fully installed, a watertight seal has been established, effectively isolating this section of India Bay.

As the 16ft tall AquaDam® approaches full capacity, the tide is ebbing, resulting in an increased water depth on the work area side (left).

With the 16ft tall SCE AquaDam® fully installed and filled, crews are now preparing to de-water the isolated work area.

With the AquaDam® cofferdam system fully deployed, de-watering operations are actively underway to prepare the work area for the next phase of construction.

De-watering efforts remain ongoing as crews work to lower water levels and prepare the site for the next phase of activity.

The work area is now nearly de-watered, with only minimal water remaining before the site is fully exposed for continued operations.

From an aerial vantage point, the 16ft tall, 570ft long SCE AquaDam® cofferdam system is observed to be fully installed and functioning. Remediation within the contained area is complete, with the original Bay mud having been replaced by sand.

A Google Earth Pro image of the 16ft tall AquaDam® cofferdam system during low tide, dated April, 1 2022.

A Google Earth Pro image of the 16ft tall AquaDam® cofferdam system during high tide, dated July 10, 2022.