News

News, announcements, policy updates, spotlighted websites, software updates and other info that may be of interest to practicing geotechnical engineers, engineering geologists, geophysicists, hydrogeologists and related professions.

No Picture
Press Releases

NOAA, USGS Warning System to Help Protect Southern Californians from Debris Flows and Flash Floods

December 3, 2007 rockman Comments Off on NOAA, USGS Warning System to Help Protect Southern Californians from Debris Flows and Flash Floods

Released: 11/7/2007 1:18:29 PM

Contact Information:
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
Office of Communication
119 National Center
Reston, VA 20192		 Clarice Nassif Ransom &n=Clarice+Nassif+Ransom">1-click interview
Phone: 703-648-4299

Matt Ocana (NOAA)
Phone: 801-524-5692

Winter Rains on Burn Areas Could Spawn New Danger

NOAA logo A debris flow and flash flood warning system developed jointly by NOAA’s National Weather Service and the U.S. Geological Survey will help protect Southern Californians from potentially devastating debris flows-commonly known as mud slides- and flash floods in and around burn areas created by the recent wildfires.

[…]

No Picture
Press Releases

54 Dams Slated for Removal in 2007

December 3, 2007 rockman Comments Off on 54 Dams Slated for Removal in 2007

Contact: Garrett Russo, Press Secretary, American Rivers, (202) 347-7550; Stephanie Lindloff, American Rivers, (518) 482-2631

Washington, D.C. — With dams across the country falling into disrepair, dam owners in 12 states have chosen to eliminate obsolete infrastructure by removing their dams. An annual survey of government agencies and private conservation organizations shows that 54 dams in 12 states have been removed or are slated for removal in 2007.

[…]

No Picture
Press Releases

IPET Risk Maps Released in June for New Orleans Are CORRECT

December 3, 2007 rockman Comments Off on IPET Risk Maps Released in June for New Orleans Are CORRECT

Vicksburg, Miss. – The Interagency Performance Evaluation Task Force (IPET) reaffirmed today that the New Orleans-area risk maps released on June 20, 2007, are correct. A data error discovered in the draft technical supporting documentation released by IPET on Nov. 7 raised questions about risk map accuracy for two sections of New Orleans.

[…]

Failures

La Jolla Landslide Update – Remediation and Legal Affairs

December 3, 2007 rockman Comments Off on La Jolla Landslide Update – Remediation and Legal Affairs

[Update 12/6/07] San Diego City Council approved $20 Million for the repair of Soledad Mountain Road despite concerns by some about whether funds diverted to pay for the fix will ever be repaid by Federal and State monies. Additionally, shear pin installation mentioned on the next page is scheduled to be completed by Saturday. [/Update]

A lot has happened since my last post on the Soledad Mountain Road landslide in La Jolla. I’ll try to get you caught up on the latest with remediation and legal issues. Click through for the summary.

  […]

No Picture
Geologic Hazards

Java Mud Volcano: Economic Damages Estimated $8.6 Billion

November 29, 2007 rockman Comments Off on Java Mud Volcano: Economic Damages Estimated $8.6 Billion

The Java mud volcano continues to erupt at the same pace as before, showing no signs of stopping. Indonesia’s national planning agency has put the economic damages at $334 million a month and says the final bill could be as high as $8.6 billion. There are a number of environmental impacts as well since the mud is contaminated with heavy metals, benzene and sulfur dioxide. More…

[…]

Miscellaneous

More Free Online Journal Access from Springer

November 21, 2007 rockman 3

Springer is the publisher of a number of geo-industry journals. They have recently sent an email notifying of free access to  various Hydrogeology journals. But I have found out that their definition of Hydrogeology is rather broad, and the free access applies to a number of journals such as… 

[…]

No Picture
Press Releases

Lawmakers Step Up To Address Dangerous Dams

November 21, 2007 rockman Comments Off on Lawmakers Step Up To Address Dangerous Dams

Tuesday, October 30, 2007
By: American Rivers

House Approves 200 Million Dollar Authorization to Fix or Remove Ticking Time Bombs

Contacts: Garrett Russo, American Rivers, (202) 423-9494; Laura Wildman, P.E.; American Rivers, (860) 913-3960
 

Washington, D.C.— Millions of Americans are living in the shadow of dangerous dams all across the country, but that may be about to change, thanks to quick action by the House of Representatives to pass the Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act of 2007 (H.R 3224), sponsored by Representative John T. Salazar (D-CO). The bill, which authorizes 200 million dollars to help fix, or remove publicly owned dams all across the country, now heads to the Senate.
 

[…]

Failures

Iraq Dam in Danger of Collapse

November 21, 2007 rockman Comments Off on Iraq Dam in Danger of Collapse

The Mosul Dam in Iraq is in danger of an "imminent collapse" according to a Washington Post article.  The dam threatens the lives of as many as 500,000 people in Mosul which could be innundated by over 60-ft of water if the dam fails. Parts of Baghdad could see as much as 15-ft of water. Read on for more info.

[…]