User Guide ~ Page 14: Installation

Figure5: USING ROPES TO INSTALL AN AQUADAM® IN FLOWING WATER

Figure 5. A large AquaDam® being installed on the Saddle River in northeastern New Jersey. Note the use of four restraining ropes being held by four laborers on the bank. They have the real job in this installation. Only one laborer in the water at the end of the AquaDam® is needed to keep the ropes in position. There is no need for additional personnel. Ropes require that the AquaDam® be installed in a straight line. Connections can be made at right angles at a later date if turns are required. A coupling collar should be placed underneath the first AquaDam® as it is being unrolled if connections are necessary.

Lateral Movement:

An AquaDam® being installed in flowing water is most vulnerable to moving downstream during the installation process. Maintaining internal head pressure is very important. To give support along the side of the AquaDam® a small mound of fill material can be placed directly downstream so that the AquaDam® rests against it. A small mound every 20-30 feet provides a tremendous amount of support. Of course, turbidity is kept to a minimum because the flow has already been diverted by the AquaDam® that is being installed.

Another technique used to install large AquaDams® in flowing water is to install a shorter, sometimes smaller dam in a straight line using ropes, and then place the bigger AquaDam® directly upstream, allowing it to rest against the smaller AquaDam®. In this fashion, the pressure in the larger upstream AquaDam® can be lowered to allow it to turn around the end of the smaller AquaDam®, without it having to be kept in a straight line with ropes. You can see an example of this on the Williams Transco Gas Pipeline project in McComb, MS.