Additional works on La Gogue dam project to cost R98 million |17 February 2022
Additional works being carried out as part of the project to raise the level of the La Gogue dam will cost around R98 million.
R84.9 million of the sum are being financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the remaining balance by the Public Utilities Corporation (PUC).
The project is expected to achieve full completion in the fourth quarter of 2022.
To date, R222 million have been paid towards the works to raise the dam’s level the aim of which is to increase its capacity from 1 million cubic metres to 1.6 million cubic metres.
PUC revealed these details in a communiqué released yesterday to give an update on theadditional works being carried out at the La Gogue dam.
One part of the works soon to be undertaken to address seepage issues involves piling activities. These will be undertaken near the spillway, the point where excess water from the dam overflows. Works will consist of the construction of a 37m underground wall, constituting of closely-laid concrete piles measuring 1m in diameter, drilled at an average depth of 35m. The piling works have been sub-contracted to FrankiPile Mauritius International under the main contract of Sinohydro, the contractor awarded the contract to raise the La Gogue dam in 2017.
According to PUC, significant progress has been made on the part of the dam with the lowest height, the part which faces Sorento-Glacis referred to as the South saddle dam. The works have been undertaken to render the slope more stable and control seepages. The works include the installation of a carpet-like material known as PVC membrane onto the inner side of the South saddle dam, which will then be covered by a layer of rocks. To drain the saddle of rain water and further control seepages, two 4-metre deep drainage trenches have been built along its outer slope. In addition, a rockfill barrier has been constructed at the toe of the slope to prevent sliding and improve the overall stability.
The accompanying photos show work in progress on the project.
Press release from PUC
