Research investigation of seepage control for dams and levees

The problems of a century old levee system have provided excellent research for the Corp of Engineers and others in the design and construction of earth dams for flood control, navigation and multi-purpose projects. A special problem on which valuable knowledge has been gained is that of seepage control. The experiences obtained in recent years have been supplemented by theoretical developments in the field of soil mechanics, but it is believed that considerable information will be gained on seepage control from further investigation and experience. The safety factor to prevent failure from seepage is believed to be the most critical in the present design of levees. It is important because the levee like a chain is only as strong as the weakest link. If the levee fails at one point the whole district is flooded. The damage estimated due to a single break in a levee protecting about 50,000 acres in 1944 was between 2 and 3 million dollars. Millions of dollars are being spent to construct levees for flood protection. About 5 million dollars was appropriated for levee construction in the St. Louis District alone for the year of 1949. This is a small part of the national program. Any effort in research, testing, or study for design of corrective measures to protect levees and dams from destruction due to seepage is believed worth while. The results of some experiments and design follow --Introduction, page ii