25/09/2023, 16:08 Protecting the Future of Comoe Dam with Geophysical Leakage Survey | Fugro | Fugro

Case Studies

Case study

Geophysical leakage survey safeguards future of Comoé

Dam
Burkina Faso

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Client
The Water and Rural Infrastructure Implementation Agency (AGETEER) on behalf of the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, Burkina
Faso

Project duration
January 2013 (1 month)

Our team of experienced geophysicists used specialist techniques to map erosive leaks that were threatening the
long-term viability of Burkina Faso’s Comoé dam. Mapping the leakage allowed the dam’s consultants to optimise
critical remediation work to keep this vital structure safe.

Life cycle

Planning, feasibility, conceptual design

Design

Construction

Operations and maintenance

Decommissioning

Show full process

Challenge
The Comoé dam in south-western Burkina Faso serves the major population centre of Banfora. It also provides
water for irrigation and a large sugar factory, and controls flooding on the River Comoé. With concerns about the
impact of leaks within the dam basement on structural longevity, the Ministry of Water and AGETEER (Water and
Rural Infrastructure Implementation Agency) commissioned Fugro to investigate.

We combined a number of sophisticated geophysical techniques to efficiently survey all areas of interest without
disturbing the sensitive structure. Using existing Geo-data to help corroborate findings, we accurately located and
characterised leaks inside the dam to support timely decision-making and implementation of remedial works to
safeguard the dam.

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Comoé dam

Length of Comoé Dam

1,164
meters

Solution
At 1164 m long, 24 m high and 6 m wide at its crest, the Comoé dam is classified as ‘large’ by the International
Commission on Large Dams. Some leakage through its embankment had been evident since the reservoir was first
filled in 1991, due to uncontrolled water percolation through porous laterite in the reservoir’s spillway foundations.
Over time, pools began to appear downstream and progressive erosion was observed at the base of the dam.

Concerned about long-term viability, and given the dam’s size and regional importance, the Comoé dam safety
study was commissioned, which showed that the best and most cost-effective solution would be a steel pile wall
extending down from the crest of the embankment to the solid substratum, where it would be anchored. As well as
creating a leak-tight seal up the entire height of the dam, it would prevent further erosion inside the body of the
embankment and foundations. With a need for highly accurate data to guide critical repairs, AGETEER then
engaged Fugro to map the leaks which had appeared at the base of the embankment.

Our team conducted an overall survey of the dam, recording high-efficiency spontaneous polarisation (SP) and
other electrical measurements. Once we had acquired all the necessary data, we then focused our attention on the
left bank, which showed marked signs of leakage. Here, our field investigation included brine tracing and resistivity
tomography, and the use of SP to detect anomalous flows.

We also cross-checked our temperature measurements from piezometers and relief wells against geophysical
survey results. Analysis of our geophysical measurements met the challenge of identifying and delineating the
circulation of upstream-downstream flows on the left and right banks of the dam.

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Innovative highlight
Our phased and integrated geophysical investigation allowed us to add project value while meeting our client’s
programme budget and schedule. We used advanced, non-intrusive, light-footprint electrical sensing techniques
to detect and define zones of leakage, and then applied our interpretative skills to integrate existing survey data,
deriving additional insight and detail.

The result was a highly accurate risk map of leakage paths and direction of flow within the affected areas of the
dam embankment and base. This map helped our client to verify and optimise the proposed remediation strategy
using a steel pile wall identified by the Comoé dam safety study.

Impact
Our geophysical survey results, combined with hydrogeological, geological and geotechnical data from previous
surveys, made it possible to assess the precise extent of remedial works required for the Comoé dam. The use of
light-footprint techniques overcame access issues and eliminated the physical impacts of investigating potentially
weakened structures.

Our high-definition leak-mapping maximised opportunities for the client to optimise the design, cost and timescale
of effective remediation works. Our Geo-data also supported accurate decisions in the design and planning of the
remedial works, helping to ensure the long-term safety and operational resilience of the Comoé dam, an asset
critical to the welfare and livelihoods of a large population.
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