Blue Ridge Dam Low Level Outlet
The construction of a low-level inlet / outlet structure in the dam involving design/build of a 975 ft. x 12 ft. diameter tunnel, cofferdam, flow control devices, and hydraulic energy dissipation systems. Anticipated geology during construction will include lake sediments, saprolite and variably weathered metamorphic bedrock. The method of excavation will be drill/blast in the tunnel and the outlet structure.
The low Level Outlet Structure will include the installation of a 16 ft. diameter x 40 ft. intake structure plus a 9 ft. diameter (1/2 inch) x 1,000 ft. steel pipe to accommodate flows of 1,800 cubic ft. per second at an opening head of 130 ft. The objective of this project is to provide Blue Ridge Reservoir with an alternative means for regulating reservoir elevations.