The bridge pier footing, originally constructed in 1922, has deteriorated over the years. Officials from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) have determined that the necessary repairs for the pier footing are long overdue.

A 3ft tall 7ft wide 100ft long single closed end (SCE) AquaDam was installed at this location to redirect the flow of the stream around the bridge’s pier. This photo was taken about halfway through the installation process of the 100ft long SCE AquaDam. Four workers were responsible for holding the roll end of the AquaDam to maintain head pressure inside the dam, while another worker was tasked with removing rocks and other obstructions ahead of them. The process of rock picking is crucial in ensuring a proper seal between the AquaDam and the streambed.

Stream diversions should be done during low flows to minimize disruption to the environment. Check out the water quality on the right side of the AquaDam compared to the left side. This type of water quality is what it's all about: keeping the water flow clean during all phases of the project’s activities, including the installation and removal of the AquaDam. Workers must hold the roll of the AquaDam back, to maintain head pressure throughout the entire length of the unrolled body of the dam above the surrounding water.

The 3ft tall SCE AquaDam has been installed past the 80ft of length mark. There is less than 20ft (notice the writing on the AquaDam) left to go to reach the closed end. The streambed at this site had a steep slope that dropped about 1.5ft in elevation over a 100ft span downstream. The combination of the flowing water and the steep slope made this installation more difficult for workers to maintain sufficient head throughout the body of the AquaDam higher than the surrounding water.

The workers are adjusting the AquaDam to align with the bank, creating a wide horseshoe or "U" shaped configuration around the two-lane bridge pier. They must pause periodically to secure the AquaDam in place and allow the water level to stabilize each time they unroll it a few feet.

The last few feet of the 100ft long SCE AquaDam is unrolling. Fantastic job everyone!