Gatun Dam History and Developments

The paper describes the main decisions leading to the construction of Gatun Dam, cited as the world's largest when completed. A brief summary of the dam's construction is subsequently presented as extracted from documents of the era. A description of the dam's post-construction performance is then given. Its uneventful history contrasts sharply with its controversial origins. Developments in engineering in the 20^th century have highlighted issues unknown to the designers and builders of the dam. These have motivated a detailed risk analysis of the structure, given that hydrologic and seismic demands now known are greater than previously believed. This evaluation process generated plans for remediation so that it can reliably carry out its function as the Panama Canal begins its second century of operation. The case also highlights, in a single structure, how much engineering practices have developed in this period.