Construction Dewatering

At Griffin, our expertise is in

groundwater control
for challenging construction
projects and subsurface
conditions. Griffin specializes
in dewatering and
groundwater control, utilizing
such techniques as eductors,
deep wells, wellpoints, slurry
walls, and relief wells.
What Is Dewatering?
Dewatering means
the separation of
water from the soil,
or perhaps taking
the water out of the
particular
construction
problem
completely.

This leads to concepts

like pre-drainage of
soil, control of ground
water, and even the
improvement of
physical properties of
What Does Dewatering Do?
Controls ground water, and
even the improvement of
physical properties of soil.

Intercepts Seepage

Achieves waterproofing
objectives
Origins Of
Dewatering Human efforts to control
water predate recorded
history.

The first practical

wellpoint dewatering
system in the U.S. was
used in Hackensack,
NJ in 1925.
Consequences
Of Improper
Dewatering
Excavation Support Systems
Rendered Unstable

Future Settling

Lost Time

Decreased Worksite Safety

Increased Cost
Dewatering Methods
Wellpoint System
A wellpoint system consists of a
number of wellpoints spaced along a
trench or around an excavation site,
all connected to a common header,
which is attached to one or more
wellpoint pumps.

Wellpoint systems are most suitable

in shallow aquifers where the water
level needs to be lowered no more
than 15 or 20 feet. Due to the
vacuum limitation of the pump,
excavations that are deeper will
require multiple stages of wellpoint
systems.
Deep Well System
Deep well systems consist of one
or more individual wells, each of
which has its own submersible
pump at the bottom of the well.
Deep well systems are suitable
for water-table or confined
aquifers and will lower the water
table 100 feet or more in a single
lift without staging.
Eductor System
The eductor system is
generally used in areas
where the soils have a low
permeability. It is especially
well suited for deep
excavations with stratified
soils. The eductors are
installed at relatively close
spacing similar to the array in
wellpoint systems, but
require only a single stage to
effect draw downs of up to
100 + feet.
Open Pumping
The removal of water
from a site or an area
commonly called;
sumping, unwatering, or
open pumping.

Axial flow pumps on a

temporary pump station
was capable of pumping
200,000 gallons per
minute (gpm) with a
standby capacity of
30,000 gpm.
 Temporary & Permanent
Dewatering Systems
Temporary Permanent

Intercept Seepage Achieve waterproofing objectives.

Improve the excavation and the backfill Reduce or eliminate lateral and/or
characteristics of the excavation to allow uplift pressures.
construction to proceed in a safe and
efficient manner.
Details Of A Dewatering System
Considerations When Selecting
A Dewatering System
Size & Depth Of The Excavation
Location And Environment
Proximity Of Existing Structures
Existence Of Any Contamination
Soil Characteristics And
Subsurface Conditions
Aquifer Characteristics
Aquifer composition and
distribution

Hydraulic conductivity,
transmissivity, storage
coefficient

Flow rate calculation for

proposed construction
area to be dewatered
Construction
Schedule
Time always equals money in
construction

How does the Dewatering System

impact the budget and schedule?

The Dewatering system should be a

long term asset for ongoing
operations
Dewatering Case Studies
 Saluda Dam Remediation
Case Study

Need for Renovation

The dams construction
method comprises its
problem- the sluiced fill
materials. This
material has a loose (or very
loose) relative density.
Consequently, the dam is
susceptible to
liquefaction during an
earthquake.

Griffin installed Deepwells, Eductors, & Wellpoints on downstream toe of

dam for excavation of up to 80ft. in depth.
 Saluda Dam Remediation
Case Study

The project was a significant

undertaking. In addition to
keeping the 48,000 acre
reservoir nearly full, which is
rimmed with businesses and
houses, and keeping the
hydroelectric plant and coal fired
steam plant operational, the
project also required that we
ensure the safety of the
120,000 residents living in the
flood plain downstream in Owner: SCE&G Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC. All the above was
required, while also addressing General Contractor: Paul C. Rizzo Associates,
the environmental concerns Monroeville, PA
regarding the wetlands encircling
the Saluda Dam. Specialty Sub Contractor: Griffin Dewatering
 Batchtown Wildlife Refuge
Case Study

Griffin deep wells installed on a oval earthen

berm directly in the Mississippi River
A deep well dewatering
system for the Batchtown
Wildlife Refuge
Rehabilitation project
near St. Louis, Missouri.
The wells were installed
on a oval earthen berm
directly in the Mississippi
River. Individual wells
were pumping roughly
1750 gallons per minute
each.

Building Team/Key Players: Army Corp of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife Service,
Griffin Dewatering North Central, LLC
 New Madrid Pump Station
Case Study

Deep well dewatering system in operation at

an excavation near the Mississippi River
A deep well installed at an
excavation for a pumping
station being built in New
Madrid Missouri in close
proximity to the Mississippi
river for the Army Corps of
Engineers.
Installation of high
volume deepwells for
excavation 51ft. below
high Mississippi River
elevation.
Building Team/Key Players: Army Corp of Engineers: Memphis District, Hill Brothers
Construction & Engineering Co., Griffin Dewatering Southwest
 Riverpoint West Street Improvement project
Case Study

Sewerline installation located in Des Moines, IA

This photo depicts an
excavation in Des Moines,
Iowa of a 30 foot deep
sewerline installation located
3 feet above the bedrock.
Deep dewatering wells were
used to lower the groundwater
8 feet and a 600 foot long,
200 point wellpoint system
was installed 17 feet below
existing grade to handle the
rest of the groundwater.

Building Team/Key Players: J&K Contracting General Contractor Ames, IA,

Griffin Dewatering North Central, LLC Sub Contractor Omaha, NE
 Pearland Town Center - Detention Pond
Case Study

A Wellpoint System was

used for the construction
of a detention pond at the
Pearland Town Center in
Pearland, Texas

Building Team/Key Players: EMJ Construction General Contractor Chattanooga, TN,

Griffin Dewatering Southwest, LLC Sub Contractor Houston, TX
 Crystal River Power Plant Expansion
Case Study

Installation of high
volume sumping
equipment for
excavation into
Florida limestone
formations.

General Contractor:
Zachary Construction

Specialty Sub-Contractor:
Griffin Dewatering
 Lake Fork Pumping Station
Case Study

Installation of deepwells
and wellpoints for +65ft
excavation.

The Lake Fork Pump Station

project was constructed by
Bar Constructors. Lake Fork
is the first new water source
connected to the DWU raw
water system in 40 years.
The Lake Fork Pump Station
is a 240 MGD raw water
pump station located
approximately 95 miles east
General Contractor:
of Dallas on Lake Fork.
Bar Constructors
Specialty Sub-Contractor:
Griffin Dewatering
 El Cajon Public Safety Center
Case Study

This construction project is

located in the County of San
Diego for the city of El Cajon.
The dewatering system on this
excavation consists of a
dewatering system installed
around the perimeter of the
excavation. It consists of a
series of electric submersible
pumps installed inside of deep
wells by Griffin Dewatering
Farwest.

General Contractor: Location:

Ledcor Construction Inc. El Cajon, CA (San Diego County)
Specialty Sub-Contractor:
Griffin Dewatering Farwest
 Galena River Bypass
Case Study

The pump in the foreground is

a 12 Non-Clog pump for
bypass pumping of the Galena
River around an excavation for
a new railroad bridge. The
pump in the middle was a high
pressure 6 pump used to
install the wick points. The
pump in the foreground is an
8 Non-Clog Variable Use
Pump for the wick point
dewatering system.

General Contractor: Location:

Rieth-Riley Construction LaPorte County, Indiana
Specialty Sub-Contractor:
Griffin Dewatering Midwest

Owner: Isabella Partners
General Contractor: Griffin Dewatering Farwest
Location: High in the desert mountains above
Bakersfield, California and San Joaquin Valley.
Lake Isabella Bypass
Case Study
Griffin axial flow pumps on
Lake Isabella. Fed by the Kern
River, the lake is a primary
source of water for farmers in
the southern part of the largest
agricultural area in California.
Griffin Dewatering Corporation
was called in to design,
construct, and operate a
temporary pump station that
would run for five months. The
station was capable of
pumping 200,000 gallons per
minute (gpm) with a standby
capacity of 30,000 gpm. The
quantity the station actually
pumped was dependent upon
the demand downstream.
 Prado Dam Embankment and Outlet
Works Case Study

Griffin Bypass equipment

installation. Prado Dam
sewer bypass pumping at
22 million gallons per day
located in Santa Ana River
near Corona, California.
Temporary bypass systems
are used to transfer water
supplies and sewage flow,
so that vital services are
uninterrupted during
construction.
Owner: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District
General Contractor: Doty Brothers Equipment Company
Sub Contractor: Griffin Dewatering Farwest
Location: Dam on the Santa Ana River in Riverside County, California
 College Avenue Pump Station
Case Study

At the heart of the bypass at

the Olsson Construction Inc.
Westside Pump Station job are
these two 16 vacuum assisted
non clog pumps, fitted with
100hp electric motors. Two
10 diesel powered, vacuum
assisted non clog pumps are
also installed, as back up for
the system. Fitting this many
large pumps into the very small
space allotted was difficult;
however, Griffins field crew did
an excellent job.

Owner: Orange County Sanitation District

General Contractor: Olsson Construction Inc.
Sub Contractor: Griffin Dewatering Farwest
Location: Costa Mesa, California
 Siphon Sewer - Iowa City
Case Study

The project is the replacment of

a siphon sewer under the Iowa
River. Griffin is bypassing the
sewage from the old structures
while the new sewer
connections are made. Total
volume is about 6,300 gallons
per minute. Total duration of the
job is 2 weeks from startup to
shut down of the new 18 inch
non-clog pumps. Griffin is
bypassing sewage from 3
different locations on site and 2
operate at any one time.

Owner: City of Iowa City, The Public Works Department

General Contractor: Judds Brothers Construction
Sub Contractor: Griffin Dewatering North Central
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
 Rice University Collaborative Research Center
Owner: Rice University
General Contractor: Linbeck Construction
Sub Contractor: Griffin Dewatering Southwest
Location: Houston, Texas
Case Study
The project (CRC Rice
University) consists of a ten
story building next to the Rice
University Campus inside of
Houston Medical Center.
Griffin installed a 1400 linear
foot eductor system to lower
the groundwater below the
deepest cut (40 feet deep
from the street level). These
eductors are 65 to 80 feet
deep and drilled outside the
excavation area along the
property line. The eductor
system with two pump
stations has lowered
groundwater more than 5 feet
below the deepest
excavation.
 Eastside Access Queens Bored Tunnels
Case Study

Installing 10 Deep Wells Up To 60 Feet Deep

Owner: NYC Metro Transportation Authority
GC: Granite/Traylor/Frontier-Kemper
Sub: Griffin Dewatering New England
Location: Queens, NY
 Love Field Airport Modernization
Case Study

Installed 7 Deep Wells

and 70 Wickpoints on
Concourse Area and 20
Deep Wells in the
Ticketing Area

Owner: Southwest Airlines, Dallas

GC: Hensel Phelps Construction Co.
Sub: Griffin Dewatering Southwest
Location: Dallas, TX