The use of Leakage Detection Techniques to Improve Dam Safety and in Asset Management Studies

Most dams leak to an extent – if steady state conditions exist and remain whilst the dam is in service it is not necessarily a problem and the situation is just monitored for the quantity and ‘quality’ of leaks. However, if leakage suddenly appears or increases in any way that the dam could be at risk, or the economic value of the leaking water is large, then often investigation and remedial works are required. Dams on karst foundations can be particularly susceptible to deterioration of conditions which could lead to failure. This investigation often has to be carried out rapidly without knowing the path of the leakage and the remedial works can be very expensive. Individual boreholes or even suites of boreholes are unlikely to intersect or identify individual leakage paths.