The Forest City Landslide

A large and complex landslide in marine shales is impacting the approach roadway and a 4600-ft long bridge carrying U.S. Route 212 over the Oahe Reservoir at Forest City, South Dakota. After extensive investigation and analyses it was determined that the main landslide could be remediated by unloading the slide using a large cut through the escarpment located upslope from the bridge. Although moving with the main slide, the 900- foot long approach embankment is failing in directions differing from the main slide. Preliminary study indicates that the independent slides within the approach embankment can be stabilized by stone columns or reinforced concrete dowels. Partial remediation has been achieved by the installation of stone columns around the embankment toe