Evolution of USACE Seepage Cutoff Wall Contracts

A major goal of each U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) project is to capture lessons learned and communicate them forward from project to project. This permits sharing of knowledge and experiences nationwide and helps improve the USACE contractual methodologies, reducing overall costs, and improving designs. An example of this is the evolution of seepage barrier wall contracts. From the first Wolf Creek Dam cutoff wall in the 1970s to the more recent Bolivar and East Branch Dam cutoff walls, documentation and sharing of lessons learned have increased the efficiency and effectiveness of cutoff wall designs and contract specifications. The evolution process includes updates in contract philosophy, methods for verifying that construction meets design requirements, and inclusion of effective data management solutions for use both during construction and long-term documentation of the project.