0:00
hello construction enthusiasts are you
0:02
wondering why us is all set to remove
0:05
some of the mega dams in the coming
0:07
years well today we're diving into a
0:10
fascinating transformation happening
0:12
across the United States we'll try to
0:15
delve deep into why the removal of some
0:17
of the nation's largest dams is eminent
0:21
well this change is about much more than
0:23
just an engineering challenge it's about
0:26
restoring ecosystems and revitalizing
0:28
rivers that have been blocked for
0:30
decades if you're passionate about
0:32
environmental projects and Engineering
0:34
wonders make sure to subscribe to our
0:36
Channel and hit that notification Bell
0:38
without further Ado let's dive straight
0:56
in first let's see the example of the El
1:00
River in Washington state for the first
1:02
time in a century it's flowing
1:09
freely the remover of the El and glines
1:12
Canyon dams marked the biggest dam
1:14
removal project in US history but hold
1:17
on this record is about to be broken the
1:21
clouth river stretching 414 kilomet from
1:24
Oregon to North California is next four
1:27
of its six dams are set to be Dem
1:34
demolished but how exactly do you remove
1:36
a dam especially massive ones like those
1:39
on the clay ofth let's flash back to the
1:41
1950s in the United States a time of
1:44
rebuilding and expansion this era saw an
1:48
unprecedented boom in Dam construction
1:51
particularly in the west structures like
1:53
the iconic Hoover Dam and the Lesser
1:56
known glines Canyon Dam on the El River
1:59
symbolize human Ingenuity and control
2:01
over nature Rivers once Dynamic
2:04
ecosystems were transformed into
2:06
stagnant reservoirs sediment which is
2:09
the lifeblood of rivers was trapped
2:11
behind concrete walls depriving
2:14
Downstream habitats of essential
2:16
nutrients over time it became clear that
2:19
the ecological damage caused by dams
2:21
often outweighed the benefits this
2:24
realization has sparked a growing
2:26
movement to remove dams especially those
2:29
that are obs or causing significant harm
2:32
the El River restoration project
2:34
completed in 2014 is a testament to the
2:37
transformative power of dam removal now
2:40
let's talk about the clouth River
2:42
Project set to remove four dams which
2:44
will be the largest dam removal in
2:46
history in early 2023 Crews began the
2:50
groundwork improving roads and bridges
2:52
to allow access to heavy construction
2:55
equipment this initial phase lasting
2:57
about 8 to 9 months is crucial for the
3:00
safe and efficient removal of the four
3:02
dams JC boil Copco number one Copco
3:06
number two and Iron Gate removing a dam
3:09
requires meticulous planning and years
3:12
of preparation the process often starts
3:14
with a draw down where the reservoirs
3:16
level is gradually lowered to reduce
3:19
water pressure on the dam for instance
3:21
the 64 M High gl's Canyon Dam was
3:25
removed through a managed draw down
3:28
Engineers cut notches into the St
3:29
structure to create spillways allowing
3:32
water to flow through and gradually
3:34
erode the concrete the clouth River
3:36
Project involves various techniques for
3:39
example Copco number one a 39 M High
3:42
concrete gravity Arch Dam underwent
3:45
significant modifications to prepare for
3:47
the draw down Engineers constructed a
3:50
work pad Downstream and drilled a new 3
3:53
m diameter tunnel through the Dam's base
3:55
to control water and sediment release
3:58
the Iron Gate Dam the largest at 52.7 M
4:02
High required reinforcing an existing
4:05
low-level tunnel to withstand hydraulic
4:07
forces during the draw down as the
4:10
reservoirs are drained the Final Phase
4:12
Begins the complete removal of the dams
4:16
this involves a combination of
4:18
mechanical Demolition and controlled
4:20
blasting with debris carefully managed
4:22
to minimize environmental impact so
4:25
that's all for today's episode I hope
4:27
you've loved it don't forget to like
4:29
subscribe and hit the notification Bell
