Part of the dam collapsed in July during flooding by the Maquoketa River, draining a nine-mile lake. FEMA officials decided the dam wasn’t elligible for federal emergency funding because it is owned by a private group, the Lake Delhi Recreation Association, but the State of Iowa is appealing the decision. [Source: chicagotribune.com via Association of State Dam Safety Officials. Image: TheGazette.com]
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Hoover Dam Celebrates 75th Anniversary
On September 30, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Hoover Dam, telling the 10,000 people gathered at the ceremony that it was a “great feat of mankind” destined to reshape “the geography of a whole region.” The American Society of Civil Engineers calls it one of the “Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders.” In honor of this significant milestone for this fantastic structure, I’ve collected some facts and figures, news articles, information on the bypass bridge, and some concerning news about the future of the dam’s ability to supply power. Click through for more.
Judge Rules City of San Diego Not Responsible for Mt. Soledad Landslide in 2007
The Mt. Soledad Landslide in a La Jolla California neighborhood destroyed 3 houses and damaged others and it also shut down Mt. Soledad Road for an entire year after it occurred in October of 2007. Residents blamed the city of San Diego, and 65 homeowners filed suit, claiming that leaking pipes caused the landslide and the City should cover damages.
Last week, a superior court judge ruled in favor of the City of San Diego. So far I have not seen anything indicating if the residents plan to appeal the ruling.
One interesting note regarding the trial, the City released an 8-minute cell phone video taken by a geotechnical engineer or drilling contractor employed by the City that showed the road cracking and buckling just prior to failure. The homeowners used the video to try to make their own case. Click through for a portion of the video and a link to the full one.