A hydroelectric dam needed work done so a 12ft tall 25ft wide 204ft long single closed end (SCE) AquaDam will be installed to make repairs.
Looking downstream towards North Road, where the river water will be diverted away from this side with the metal gate.
Boards have been installed prior to the AquaDam installation to help divert the flow of the river towards the opposite bank.
The 12ft tall SCE AquaDam will end just past the concrete wall with the warning sign.
Looking downstream, prior to the installation of 12ft tall SCE AquaDam will be installed. The Lead Mine State Forest can be seen in the background.
The 12ft tall SCE AquaDam has been lifted off the trailer that brought it. The crane will deliver the AquaDam to its starting bank, over at the water edge.
AquaDams are shipped rolled-up like a carpet roll on a wooden beam and have lifting ropes/straps. The crane had to lift the AquaDam over treetops to reach its starting bank.
Cranes are great at lifting straight up or down, but not so good with lifting angles, pulling, or pushing.
The 12ft tall SCE AquaDam has reached its starting bank. A SCE AquaDam requires a bank to keep its starting point (open end) higher in elevation than the body of the AquaDam. The 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.
The AquaDam needed to be turned around, so that it will unroll in the correct direction while it is filled with water.
Workers discuss where they will place the AquaDam to start unrolling it.
The bank is extremely rocky and has metal pipes laying around. Rock picking is important to help with the seal the AquaDam makes with the riverbed.
A smaller support AquaDam was installed first and then the 12ft tall SCE AquaDam. The smaller support AquaDam also helped the larger dam make the turn downstream.
A Google Earth Pro image of the AquaDam cofferdam system installed and working. Wonderful job AquaDam!
12ft Tall 25ft Wide (full) 204ft Long Single Closed End (SCE) AquaDam, Androscoggin River Diversion, Hydroelectric Dam Repairs, Smaller Support AquaDam