Geophysical Investigation of Seepage Beneath an Earthen Dam |
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| Authors: | SJ Ikard J Rittgers A Revil MA Mooney |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Geophysics, Colorado School of Mines, Green Center, Golden, CO;2. ISTerre, CNRS, UMR CNRS 5275, Université de Savoie, Le Bourget du Lac, France;3. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO |
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| Abstract: | A hydrogeophysical survey is performed at small earthen dam that overlies a confined aquifer. The structure of the dam has not shown evidence of anomalous seepage internally or through the foundation prior to the survey. However, the surface topography is mounded in a localized zone 150 m downstream, and groundwater discharges from this zone periodically when the reservoir storage is maximum. We use self‐potential and electrical resistivity tomography surveys with seismic refraction tomography to (1) determine what underlying hydrogeologic factors, if any, have contributed to the successful long‐term operation of the dam without apparent indicators of anomalous seepage through its core and foundation; and (2) investigate the hydraulic connection between the reservoir and the seepage zone to determine whether there exists a potential for this success to be undermined. Geophysical data are informed by hydraulic and geotechnical borehole data. Seismic refraction tomography is performed to determine the geometry of the phreatic surface. The hydro‐stratigraphy is mapped with the resistivity data and groundwater flow patterns are determined with self‐potential data. A self‐potential model is constructed to represent a perpendicular profile extending out from the maximum cross‐section of the dam, and self‐potential data are inverted to recover the groundwater velocity field. The groundwater flow pattern through the aquifer is controlled by the bedrock topography and a preferential flow pathway exists beneath the dam. It corresponds to a sandy‐gravel layer connecting the reservoir to the downstream seepage zone. |
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