A drilling programme began this week at the Ochoco Dam in Oregon, US, to help the US Bureau of Reclamation study the seismic stability of the structure.

Drill crews are working near the toe of the dam’s downstream face, with soil samples to be collected from the embankment and foundation at ten drill sites in a bid to refine existing Ochoco Dam studies for seismic stability.

Worked is expected to continue throughout the summer.

Ochoco Dam has been part of Reclamation’s Crooked River Project since 1956. It stores water for the Ochoco Irrigation District.