Scour

Kárahnjúkar Dam Foundation Scour Analysis – Iceland

The Kárahnjúkar Dam will store water from the Vatnajökull glacier to generate hydroelectric power for use by the Alcoa Smelter that will be built in the east of Iceland. E&H investigated scour potential in the canyon bed and walls downstream of the Kárahnjúkar Dam where the spillway will discharge water into the Jökulsá á Dal. The scour analysis was conducted by making use of two approaches: the Erodibility Index Method (Annandale 1995) and the Comprehensive Scour Model. Preliminary study results indicate anticipated scour of tens of meters that will not only impact the canyon bed but is also expected to lead to instability of the canyon walls. E&H is providing the additional evaluation of the scour potential and recommending design alternatives for protection of the canyon walls.

Engineering - Science - Sustainable Solutions