South Carolina's Saluda Dam Project Takes Top ASCE Award

The Saluda Dam Remediation project in Columbia, S.C., has been honored with the American Society of Civil Engineers' 2006 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement award.

"South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. officials were faced with an extraordinary challenge when they realized the impact that a repeat of the 1886 Charleston earthquake could have on Columbia's three-quarters-of-a-century-old Saluda Dam," said ASCE President Dennis R. Martenson. "Their proactive approach to protecting the surrounding communities, and the innovative methods they implemented to achieve that goal, make this project the embodiment of everything for which the OCEA award stands. We are proud to honor the Saluda Dam Remediation Project with this year's award."

The project was initiated when SCE&G officials learned that their 1.5-mi.-long, 200-ft.-high Saluda hydroelectric dam embankment could liquefy during a repeat of the 1886 Charleston earthquake. Any solution had to keep a 78-sq.-mi. reservoir rimmed with homes and businesses nearly full and keep a hydroelectric plant and coal-fired steam plant operational, all the while ensuring the safety of the 120,000 residents living in the floodplain. The result was a 1.3-million-cu.-yd. RCC backup dam with zoned earthen abutments.

During the project, the construction team set a North American record for the most roller-compacted concrete placed in a single day - 18,590 cu. yds.

The project, owned by SCE&G, was led by Paul C. Rizzo Associates, with Barnard Construction Co. of Bozeman, Mont., serving as contractor. Subcontractors included: Kleinfelder, Griffin Dewatering Southeast, H. B. Mellott Estate and Hayward-Baker/Nicholson JV.

Activity in North, South Carolina Moves Up Again in May

The value of new contracts signed in May for future construction activity in North Carolina improved by 6 percent, while South Carolina's increased by 5 percent for the month, McGraw-Hill Construction reported.

North Carolina's approximately $2.2 billion total for the month included a nonbuilding sector that jumped by 12 percent over the same period of a year ago to total $262.6 million. Residential contracts improved by 7 percent compared to last May and totaled roughly $1.5 billion. The value of nonresidential contracts fell by 1 percent and totaled $413.5 million for the month.

For the year-to-date, contract activity in North Carolina remains 11 percent ahead of the first five months of 2005, with a nearly $10.9 billion total so far. The nonresidential category, with about $2.3 billion worth of contracts, is 24 percent ahead of the same time last year, while the residential market is 15 percent better with a roughly $7.5 billion total. The nonbuilding sector, however, is down 24 percent to about $1 billion.

In South Carolina, the May total of about $1.1 billion was 5 percent better than last May. The biggest market, residential, increased by 10 percent for a total of roughly $835.2 million. The nonresidential market increased by 6 percent to total $220.5 million for the month. The nonbuilding sector was down by 42 percent compared to last May for a total of nearly $48 million.

For the year-to-date, the value of South Carolina contracts is 12 percent ahead of 2005's pace, for a total of nearly $5.6 billion. The nonbuilding category, with a cumulative total of about $471.9 million, is 2 percent ahead, while the residential sector, at $3.9 billion, is 15 percent ahead. The nonresidential category, valued at about $1.2 billion through May, is 6 percent ahead of 2005's pace.