A diversion tunnel for recently built dam in Brazil failed during the last week in June, causing an uncontrolled release of the water from the huge upstream reservoir. The failure caused no loss of life and contractors assert that the dam’s main structure is intact, but the event is raising alarms from international environmental groups and sparking concerns about additional delays in the project, which is already well behind schedule.
The 626-foot (202-meter) Campos Novos dam ( see diagram) in the Santa Catarina region of southern Brazil is the world’s third tallest concrete-faced rockfill dam and the second tallest dam in Brazil. A consortium led by Brazilian construction giant Camargo Corrêa and engineering consultants Engevix is building the project.