Inquiry on geomembrane curtain

To the editor:

A good part of the June/July issue highlighted the geomembrane curtain used at the Whiskeytown Reservoir. After reading the article, I admire the ingenuity of the curtain and its construction to ensure lower temperature water reaching salmon spawning grounds.

However, there were important unanswered questions. How was 260,000 sq. ft. of old material removed and what happened to it? Did it end up in a landfill?

John A. McCarty, P.E.
Executive Director
Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority

Reply

Divers were used to cut the existing curtain into 20ft-wide strips. Each strip, with its associated float, was then detached from the anchoring system and floated to shore. At the shoreline an excavator was used to hoist the float and leading edge of the strip ashore. The long strips of liner were then rolled onto a custom designed spooler apparatus.

The salvaged rolls of liner were sold for re-use as pond liners.

Tom Smith, P.E.
Erick Ammon Inc.

Join the discussion

To post your thoughts on these comments, fill out the comment form on the bottom of the article “Geomembrane curtain improves salmon habitat” or send your comments to editor Ron Bygness at rwbygness@ifai.com.

Comments and letters can contain opinions of individuals who are writing and do not necessarily reflect the views of Geosynthetics magazine or the Industrial Fabrics Association International.