Case Study #1:
Dam Seepage and Karst Investigation
One of our common projects is performing Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) and Self-Potential (SP) on Dams to investigate Dam Seepage and to look for Karst formations.
Geophysical methods provide a non-invasive, cost-effective approach to identifying seepage pathways, voids, and karst-related hazards that threaten dam integrity. Techniques such as self-potential, electrical resistivity, seismic methods, ground-penetrating radar, and microgravity deliver continuous subsurface data that help locate preferential flow zones, delineate weathered or solutioned bedrock, and map hidden cavities. By integrating geophysical results with drilling and geotechnical data, engineers gain a clearer understanding of foundation conditions, enabling targeted remediation, reduced uncertainty, and improved long-term performance of dam and reservoir infrastructure.
For this project, a combination of self-potential, electrical resistivity imaging, microgravity, and multi-channel analyses of surface waves were utilized to detect and map preferential seepage and potential karst weathering zones. These anomalies serve to guide exploration drilling and remediation efforts in a data-driven process.
Photo 1 (below): In this photo we have processed the ERI data obtained onsite and displayed it using Surfer, by doing this we can compare the electrical resistivity across the ERI profile. This data shows there are 2 anomalies worth noting, from left to right Anomaly 1 is a small portion where low resistivity material like (Clays) is being pushed through to the surface inbetween the high resistivity material like (competent rock). Anomaly 2 shows another pattern of where the high resistivity material has eroded or weathered away allowing the lower resistivity material to push towards the surface.
Photo 2 (below): Shows an overlaid ERI and SP line to show colocated anomalies present on site
