ACS reformará un presa en California de 1.625 millones

A Spanish construction firm, ACS, has announced plans to reform a dam in California for an investment of 1.625 million euros. The project, which focuses on seismic reinforcement, involves a joint venture between ACS's FlatironDragados subsidiary and Sukut Construction. The dam in question, Anderson Dam, is located in Morgan Hill, California, and is managed by the Santa Clara Valley Water District, also known as Valley Water.

The $1.9 billion project, awarded to Valley Water via a best-value bid process, aims to enhance the dam's resilience against earthquakes and restore it to full operational capacity. Key aspects of the project include the reconstruction of the dam's body and spillway, installation of new drainage infrastructure, and improvements to road, public service, and environmental networks.

Richard Grabinski, ACS's president, emphasized that the seismic reinforcement project is crucial for the long-term prosperity of the community. ACS's decision to lead this endeavor highlights its expertise, partnerships, and proven track record in executing complex infrastructure projects that improve quality of life and contribute to future growth.

Anderson Dam is the largest unconfined embankment dam in Santa Clara County and supplies water, recharges groundwater, and offers flood protection to a population of nearly two million people. Valley Water lowered the dam's water level to 3% of its capacity in 2020 due to seismic safety concerns. The reinforcement works will enable the dam to withstand a major earthquake and allow the reservoir to return to its normal operating level once completed.

The joint venture team, comprising FlatironDragados and Sukut Construction, brings specialized knowledge in constructing earthen dams. This includes personnel who have previously worked on the Calaveras and Isabella Lake dams in northern California. FlatironDragados is also in the final stages of completing Anderson Dam's 518-meter-long and 7.3-meter-wide tunnel, which will serve as the dam's outlet tunnel, enhancing Valley Water's flood control capabilities and providing critical infrastructure for seismic rehabilitation. The seismic reinforcement project is scheduled to commence in early 2027.