Memorial Lake Dam, PA
AEG, a SOCOTEC Company, provided subsurface exploration, geotechnical investigation, laboratory testing, and drilling oversight to support the upgrade of the high-hazard Memorial Lake State Park Dam in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.
Key Information
Project Name: Memorial Lake Dam
Client: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Location: Lebanon County, Pennsylvania
Services Provided: Geotechnical, Inspections, Construction Materials Testing
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The Challenge
Upgrading a High-Hazard Dam to Current Safety Standards
Built in 1946, Memorial Lake State Park Dam is classified as a High Hazard dam, reflecting its potential to cause significant damage and loss of life in the event of failure.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources undertook the project to bring the dam up to current Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) Dam Safety standards while improving its long-term operation and maintenance.
Achieving these objectives required a detailed understanding of subsurface conditions across the existing dam embankment and spillway. The investigation also needed to comply with DGS Specifications for Test Borings and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Procedures for Drilling in Earth Embankments.
The Solution
Comprehensive Geotechnical Investigation and Testing
AEG, a SOCOTEC Company, conducted a comprehensive geotechnical investigation to characterize subsurface conditions at Memorial Lake State Park Dam.
The scope of services included:
- Subsurface exploration of the dam embankment and spillway
- Eight test borings located at the top and bottom of the dam embankment and at the spillway
- Piezometer installation in six of the borings
- Barge access for collecting borings from the spillway area
- Full-time drilling oversight by certified inspectors to ensure compliance with contract requirements and specifications
- Soil and rock testing in AEG’s AASHTO-Accredited and USACE-Validated laboratory
- Inspection and oversight of bedrock packer testing to determine hydraulic conductivity
- Borehole Logging Survey for two spillway borings
- Preparation of a Geotechnical Investigation Report compiling the field and laboratory findings
The investigation provided a consolidated record of subsurface conditions across the dam embankment and spillway to support the project’s geotechnical evaluation.
AEG, a SOCOTEC Company, conducted a comprehensive geotechnical investigation to characterize subsurface conditions at Memorial Lake State Park Dam.
The scope of services included:
- Subsurface exploration of the dam embankment and spillway
- Eight test borings located at the top and bottom of the dam embankment and at the spillway
- Piezometer installation in six of the borings
- Barge access for collecting borings from the spillway area
- Full-time drilling oversight by certified inspectors to ensure compliance with contract requirements and specifications
- Soil and rock testing in AEG’s AASHTO-Accredited and USACE-Validated laboratory
- Inspection and oversight of bedrock packer testing to determine hydraulic conductivity
- Borehole Logging Survey for two spillway borings
- Preparation of a Geotechnical Investigation Report compiling the field and laboratory findings
The investigation provided a consolidated record of subsurface conditions across the dam embankment and spillway to support the project’s geotechnical evaluation.
The Results
Supporting Long-Term Dam Safety and Performance
The geotechnical investigation provided detailed information on soil, bedrock, embankment, and spillway conditions. This work supported the broader effort to bring Memorial Lake State Park Dam into compliance with current PA DEP Dam Safety standards and improve its long-term safety, operation, and maintenance.
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