Zeizoun Dam
The Zeizoun dam is situated on the Orontes river north of Hama in Syria and was originally constructed in 1996 with a capacity of 71 million³ and used for widespread irrigation in the Al-Ghab province.
On 4th June 2002 a failure occurred in the original dam which was completely destroyed and resulted in widespread flooding and damage. As part of the re-building program a new design with an extensive monitoring system is currently being implemented.
The new dam design includes a much deeper foundation which is intended to remove the weak strata identified as part of the reason for the failure. A grouting and monitoring gallery is included in the new design, which is located beneath the core foundation.
Project Summary
- Name
- Zeizoun Dam
- Location
- Syria
- Date
- 2010
- Client
- Directorate of Water Resources Hama Governorate
- Contractor
- General Company for Hydro Projects
- Instrumentation Specialist
- Al Mutawasset
- Consultant
- Agrocomplect SA, Bulgaria
Monitoring
The dam integrity is carried out by monitoring key areas as follows:
Main Dam Body
- Pore water and total soil pressures, settlement and lateral movement within the core. Seismic response of the crest
New Dam Foundation
- Water levels under the downstream shoulder
- Groundwater levels beyond the dam toe
Existing Dam Body
- Pore water pressures within the core
Reservoir Level
- Water level, pressure and loading
Dam Abutments
- Groundwater levels
New/Existing Dam Connection
- Joint movements
Gallery
- Seepage
- Joint movements New/Existing Dam Body Surface movements Downstream Open Channels Water level and flow
