1.) This building needed updates and repairs. The University of Pennsylvania also wanted to expand the existing structure which called for construction over the top of the campus lake.

2.) Water quality was a major concern for the University. The noise of driving sheet piling made that method of coffer-damming undesirable. Classes had to be held during the construction period.

3.) A 6ft tall single closed end (SCE) AquaDam was started far up the bank. The starting point (open end) and fill-tubes of a SCE AquaDam must be elevated higher than the full height of dam along its given path. An AquaDam will only reach its full height at the lowest elevation along its given path. Ropes were placed around the unit to hold it back as it unrolled across the lake. Pumping time was started at 2:02 pm, as you can see in the right side of this picture.

4.) As the AquaDam is being filled with water, an internal head pressure builds, and it wants to unroll. Due to the shallow depth of the lake, the AquaDam unrolls rapidly. It took just over one minute using four 3-inch water pumps.

5.) The ropes restrain the unrolling so a positive head pressure can build inside the AquaDam.

6.) In no time at all the AquaDam was across the lake. This part of the installation took under 30 minutes.

7.) The AquaDam is still rising higher as water is pumped into it. A barrier has formed, separating the one into two bodies of water.

8.) 45 minutes later (75 minutes from the start of pumping) the 6ft tall SCE AquaDam has been installed and is inflated several feet above the water of the lake.

9.) De-watering was to take place the following day. No pictures of de-watering were taken, but the project was a total success.