The Foundation Cut-off for the Bighorn Dam

Abstract

A 300 ft. high earthfill dam is currently under construction at Bighorn on the North Saskatchewan River in Alberta. The dam is founded on about 200 ft. of sands and gravels which are being sealed by a 2 ft. thick concrete cut-off wall. Construction of the wall commenced in December 1970, and is expected to be completed by May 1971. Construction is being undertaken from within a large heated enclosure where the temperature is maintained above 50° F. Bentonite slurry is used to maintain an open 2 ft. wide vertical sided trench which is then backfilled with concrete to form the cut-off wall.