Replacing Calaveras dam in California

Since 2001, in response to seismic stability concerns about the 90 year-old, 220 ft (67 m)-high Calaveras hydraulic fill dam in California, water levels in the reservoir have been lowered to about 39 per cent of the total capacity. To restore reservoir capacity, a replacement dam downstream of the existing structure and new appurtenant works have been designed to withstand the design earthquake. Construction of the project is currently under way, with completion scheduled for 2018. This paper discusses the geological and seismic conditions, and the development of the design of the new dam to accommodate the high seismic design criteria at the site.