Chasewater Dam

Last week, when the weather conditions have allowed, we progressed with the following:
 
1. We continued to drill the boreholes in the swamp. The sub-contractors GIP have now got three rigs on site because we want to get the holes drilled as quickly as possible for two reasons: so that we can get the lengths of the sheet piling specified and ordered; and because hiring the bog mats is expensive. 
 
We previously reported that we were worried that the glacial till was at depth greater than we expected – we might be revising that position, because it might be proved that the till is at a far shallower depth than expected, but that the layer of till is much narrower than we would expect. We’re waiting for our engineers to tell us what this means.
 
2. More fencing has been erected to deter people getting onto the site, and in particular into the areas where there is construction activity. Some of the fencing has been pushed into the canal where it has become embedded in the ice! 
 
3. We’ve agreed the pumping arrangements with Galliford Try, British Waterways and the Environment Agency. Once the water level in the reservoir has reached the canal level, pumps will be placed in the outlet chamber so that it can draw the water level down still further. The water will be pumped over the weir from the chamber into two filtered tanks at the head of the canal which should remove any silt before its allowed to flow away into the network.
 
Weather permitting we will start to install the pumping equipment this week.
 
4. The valves to the reservoir remained closed last week because we were not been able to test the water quality.
 
5. The designs to the box culverts which will be placed below the new road bridge on Pool Road, and in the railway causeway, were agreed. The design of this aspect of the work is the responsibility of Galliford Try and they’ve worked with our engineers to confirm the specification, which means that the order for these units can now be placed.
 
6. On Friday we held a photocall with the Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure Services and Deputy Leader, Cllr Mrs Richards and some of the project team marking the start on site. A photographer from the Express and Star attended and we’re confident he captured the best side of the engineering team – which, some will say will be a more difficult task than understanding the effects of internal erosion! 
 
Whilst we were at the photoshoot we saw people walking on the reservoir bed and then inadvertently onto the icy surface of the reservoir. With the snow cover, it’s now even more dangerous than before because it’s not clear where dry land finishes and ice begins so please do take care, and stay off the reservoir bed.
 
We’re hoping for a warmer spell this week to make the job a little bit easier!