Fig. 3 is a contour map of the Tabeaud Reservoir, showing the relative
locations of the dam, wasteway and outlet tunnel. Fig. 4 shows the bed
rock drainage system and the letters upon the drawing will assist in
following the explanation given in the text. The whole up-stream half
of the dam site was stripped to bed rock. As the work of excavation
advanced pockets of loose alluvial soil were encountered, which were
suggestive of a refill, possibly the result of placer mining operations
during the early mining days of California. In addition to this were
found thin strata of sand and gravel deposited in an unconformable
manner. The slate bed rock near the up-stream toe of the dam was badly
fissured and yielded considerable water. A quartz vein from 1 to 2 ft.
in thickness crossed the dam site about 150 ft. above the axis of the
dam. The slate rock above this vein or fault line was quite variable in
hardness and dipped at an angle of 40 degrees toward the reservoir.
[Illustration: FIG. 6.–VIEW OF BED ROCK TRENCHES, TABEAUD DAM.]
The rear drain terminates at a weir box (Z) outside of the down-stream
slope at a distance of 500 ft. from the axis of the dam. This drain
branches at the down-stream side of the central trench, (Y), one branch
being carried up the hillside to high-water level (W) at the North end
of the dam, and the other to the same elevation at the South end (X).
Fig. 5 shows how these drains were constructed. After the removal of
all surface soil and loose rock, a trench 5 to 10 ft. wide was cut into
the solid rock, the depth of cutting varying with the character of the
bed rock. Upon the floor of this trench a small open drain was made by
notching the bed rock and by means of selected stones of suitable size
and hardness. The stringers and cap-stones were carefully selected and
laid, so that no undue settlement or displacement might occur by reason
of the superincumbent weight of the dam. All crevices were carefully
filled with spawls and the whole overlaid 18 ins. in depth with broken
stone 1 to 3 ins. in diameter. Upon this layer of broken stone and
fine gravel was deposited choice clay puddle, thoroughly wetted and
compacted, refilling the trenches.
[Illustration: FIG. 7.–VIEW OF NORTH TRENCH, TABEAUD DAM.]
[Illustration: FIG. 8.–VIEW OF SOUTH TRENCH, TABEAUD DAM.]
[Illustration: FIG. 9.–VIEW OF MAIN CENTRAL DRAIN, TABEAUD DAM.]
These drains served a useful purpose during construction, in drying
off the surface of the dam after rains. The saturation of the outer
slope of the dam by water creeping along the line of contact should
thus be prevented, and the integrity or freedom from saturation of the
down-stream half should be preserved. It is believed that the puddle
overlying these rock drains will effectually prevent any water from
entering the body of the embankment by upward pressure and that the
drains will thus forever act as efficient safeguards.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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