The Calaveras Dam Replacement Project replaced an outdated, 95-year-old structure with a larger, seismically sound dam. The replacement dam is designed to withstand and remain functional in case of a magnitude 7.25 earthquake on the nearby Calaveras Fault. Major features of the project include a new 220-ft-high, earth and rock-fill embankment dam, a reinforced concrete spillway, intake tower and 78-in.-dia outlet conduit.

The project’s highly seismic and complicated geological setting created interesting construction challenges. After crews uncovered a large, ancient landslide complex during excavation, work was halted while engineers performed additional geotechnical investigations. To minimize cost and schedule impacts, the project team quickly designed a fix and launched task force teams to resequence work activities.

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