Due to unpredicted high tides caused by a combination of a low pressure front and a full moon, a complete failure of the AquaDam® resulted. Plan two has been implemented. This required reducing the radius of the cofferdam by shortening it from 350' to 250' long. When it failed, the sand that was piled up next to it fell on top.

Step #1 was the removal of the sand that was backing up the corner of the AquaDam® with a 6" hose. It took at least 3 members of the MWR work crew to man the 6" hose used to wash the sand off. From left to right: Aqua-Vern, Aqua-Keith, and Aqua-Dave. The job could not have been done without their good-natured support. Wetsuits provided by MWR.

The AquaDam® has been shortened by 100', reducing the proposed boat ramp slab by 10' in length. The AquaDam® is now severely damaged and cannot withstand the pressure of dewatering during high tide (10-11' of water depth at it's new location). Low tide water depth is 7' or less. Dewatering can only take place during low tides. 

The end of the AquaDam® is bunched up and secured with a rope next to the artificial fill berm used to start it. It was about 35' further back during the first installation and has now been moved to shorten up the length. Water levels inside the AquaDam® were at the top of the mound of dirt +1-2'.

This shows the material on the back side of the berm. Because the AquaDam® is buoyant and has a tendency to move at high tide (with water on both sides), this problem was overcome by placing this 5,000 lb. cement block on the end. 

Water inside the work area has to be maintained using pumps. This is a very big job, considering that you have to worry about two high and two low tides a day, making sure that the water heights on both sides of the cofferdam stay the same.