1.) This project took place within Gore Creek in Vail, Colorado. Workers prepare the creek banks for the upcoming work.

2.) A path was cut for an excavator to maneuver down into the creek.

3.) The orange flagging marks the work area on the left, where workers will need to divert the creek water.

4.) Workers are picking rocks and moving boulders to help create a better seal.

5.) Rocks and boulders that were already present were relocated to the designated work area side of the AquaDam in order to prevent obstruction and to offer additional support.

6.) It is essential to remove as many rocks as possible from the path of the AquaDam. This task may be time-consuming and requires careful planning.

7.) The large boulders were moved with the help of the excavator but the smaller rocks had to be moved by hand.

8.) It is crucial to note that removing certain boulders may result in the formation of holes in the creekbed, thereby deepening the area for the AquaDam.

9.) Rounded boulders and rocks work for supporting an AquaDam, but jagged, abrasive, or sharp ones should be avoided.

10.) The rock and boulder wall is already obstructing the natural flow of the creek.

11.) The 4ft tall 9ft wide AquaDam will be unrolled between the worker and the boulder sticking out of the creek.

12.) Sandbags can be laid on top of larger boulders that can not be removed from the creekbed.

13.) Rock picking is important to help with the seal the AquaDam makes with the creekbed.

14.) The workers have constructed a sturdy rock wall to provide additional support for the AquaDam.

15.) The workers are nearing completion in removing all the rocks from the designated path for the AquaDam. As we gaze downstream, it is evident that the creek is heavily strewn with rocks and boulders.

16.) Workers have installed a 4ft tall 9ft wide 100ft long single closed end (SCE) AquaDam with a connection collar. Can you see the upstream large boulder now?

17.) When diverting a portion of flowing water, it is important to consider the impact on upstream water depth and the speed of the water passing by. These factors must be carefully accounted for when determining the placement of an AquaDam.

18.) Gore Creek has been successfully diverted with a 4ft tall by 100ft long SCE AquaDam.

19.) All of the of the creek's flow has been directed towards this bank, which measures about 6ft in width.

21.) A better view of the diversion channel for this project.

22.) The open end and fill-tubes of the AquaDam were tied off at a higher elevation than the rest of the AquaDam. This additional elevation helps keeps the water inside the AquaDam. To ensure proper installation and functionality of a SCE AquaDam, it is essential to have a starting bank that maintains a higher elevation than the body of the AquaDam. The open end and fill-tubes of the SCE AquaDam must remain elevated above the full height of the dam along its designated path. It is important to note that an AquaDam will only reach its maximum height at the lowest elevation point along its designated path.

23.) Can you tell the water depth difference from the work area to the diverted creek? The boulder that was above water upstream of the AquaDam is now mostly submerged.

24.) There is a nice deep pool now in front of the 4ft tall SCE AquaDam.

25.) With the creek diverted, workers can now plan their construction work in the dry.

26.) Vail Interfaith Chapel can be seen to the right in the background.

27.) Workers strategically placed boulders along the diversion channel to prevent erosion and stabilize the bank, ensuring its integrity and preventing washouts.

28.) AquaDams are constructed using lightweight and flexible materials, allowing them to bend into a variety of shapes needed to get the job done.

29.) The slope of the creekbed was sufficient to prevent the need for workers to close off the downstream end.

30.) With the creek diverted, workers have already begun moving dirt.

31.) The diversion channel is working great.

32.) At the starting bank, the fill-tubes have been tied closed and the open end has been secured up the bank to prevent it from moving.

33.) The depth of the upstream pool has increased by nearly a foot due to the partial damming of the creek.

34.) The starting bank here was pretty steep, but workers were able to make it work.

35.) Gore Creek has been successfully diverted away from the work area.

36.) Have you observed the gradual decrease in water depth along the AquaDam as it flows downstream?

37.) The remaining water in the work area can be effectively removed using a pit and sump pump. Seepage is a common occurrence when working with a cofferdam, particularly when dealing with a substantial amount of rock.

38.) Looking upstream towards Vail Road Bridge.

39.) Can you see the high point in the bed of the diversion channel, just to the right of the stump. This high point is causing whitecaps to form just downstream of it.

40.) The water is tranquil upstream in the pool and turbulent as it flows through the diversion channel.

41.) Looking downstream towards the closed end of the 100ft long AquaDam and the exit of the diversion channel.

42.) The most constricted area for the water to flow through the diversion channel was located between the closed end of the AquaDam and a cluster of small tree stumps.

43.) Looking upstream of the diversion channel.

44.) The entire Gore Creek has been squeezed down to this small channel.

45.) Would you believe that the bed of the diversion channel is slowly scouring out over time?

46.) This AquaDam had a connection collar attached to the closed end. Another AquaDam could have been join here, if workers needed additional length.

47.) A worker is taking it easy in the work area, behind the 4ft tall AquaDam, enjoying the shape provided by the excavator.

48.) At the upstream end, the AquaDam is tilting towards the pool. This incline is a beneficial feature for the AquaDam and is most likely caused by the rocks that were stacked before installation.

49.) The work area only has a few inches of water depth in it.

50.) Can you tell the water depth difference from one side of the AquaDam to the other?

51.) There is a small pool behind the excavator, but the workers did not seem to be concerned.

52.) A worker is checking out how deep the upstream pool is. This 4ft tall AquaDam is maxed out at the upstream end and it was a great idea to support it with the boulders and rocks.

53.) The boulder that was sticking out of the water before the AquaDam was installed is pretty much submerged and can barely be seen now.

54.) Can you tell where the pool, behind the excavator, ends at the downstream end? To the right of the high spot in the pool, there are ripples.

55.) With the AquaDam up and working great, workers can prepare for the next stage of this project.

56.) The AquaDam was just long enough to keep the tail water out of the work area.

57.) Fantastic job AquaDam!