Sediment Removal Action at Northwest Oil Drain Canal, Salt Lake City, Utah

摘要

During 2003 through 2006, the Northwest Oil Drain (NWOD) WorkingGroup and its consultants and contractors accomplished the sediment removal actionrequired for restoration of the NWOD Canal in Salt Lake City, Utah. The project purposewas to restore the flow capacity of the canal and prevent upstream flooding. However, asite investigation showed varying levels of hydrocarbon contamination in the canalsediment, which precluded standard removal methods. The method selected for the canalincluded a combination of excavation and hydraulic dredging with discharge of thedredged slurry into Geotubes~? (geotextile bags) for temporary containment and dewatering.The oily sediments were subsequently excavated, transported by truck, and blendedfor beneficial use as road-base material. The dredging and Geotube methodologies arebelieved to have resulted in the most environmentally sensitive and cost effective solutionfor the canal. The keys to successful project completion included use of a method toassure removal of all affected sediment, appropriate quality assurance (QA) measures,protection of water quality in the active (flowing) canal, proper sediment management,and coordination with both federal and state regulators.