Oroville Dam Diffuser Ring

Location: Oroville, CA

An emergency project for a valued client, scope of work consists of removing a concrete diffuser ring in a 35’ diameter tunnel filled with 17’ of water, ½ mile inside Oroville Dam.

Working inside the tunnel and over water presents several engineering challenges the SRC project team planned for. To safely work over water and accommodate the equipment and personnel required to remove the concrete ring, specialty barges were procured for precise fit to tunnel walls. When mobilized and set up in the tunnel the barges were 120’ long. To safely stabilize the work area and support the demo and removal of the ring, an elevated steel and timber beam structure with matting was built inside the tunnel to receive the concrete upon demolition. When fully operational the barges support all equipment, including an excavator and skidsteer, and the support structure itself. To remove the ring under the water surface, specialty dive teams completed the work.