Project description
The Bimont Dam (Class A – Height: 87 m – Crest length: 180 m) serves as a safety reservoir for supplying water to several municipalities in the Aix region and for irrigating 8,000 hectares.
It supplies the industrial zone of the Arc Valley, provides 30% of the water needs of the Aix region and the Marseille metropolitan area. The dam also functions as a flood control structure and generates electricity through 2 small hydroelectric plants.
Project objectives:
- Anticipate tomorrow's needs: The Bimont Dam experienced swelling and cracking of the concrete in certain localized areas on the right bank during its first years after construction. Now that the swelling has stabilized, the renovation work mainly aims to repair the damaged sections while modernizing the dam to comply with current regulations and the latest technologies.
- Raise the dam’s operating leImprove access to the site: The Bimont Dam site receives nearly 200,000 visitors each year. The work is also an opportunity to secure access points and tourist pathways. vel to take account of future water needs
- Meet regulatory and contractual goals: Renovating the regional heritage under concession is one of the core missions of the Société du Canal de Provence, which dedicates nearly €25 million per year to it.
Services provided by SCP:
This large-scale project also required interventions on other structures during the preliminary phases. The main services carried out by the SCP as project owner and project manager (in partnership with Tractebel Engineering) are listed below:
- Diversion of the dam using a micro tunnel boring machine;
- 3D numerical modeling;
- Installation of a floating pipe to cross the counter dam;
- Reinforcement of the dam monitoring system;
- Renovation of the small hydroelectric power plant;
- Diagnosis of all sluice gates;
- Renovation of the dam vault reinforcement;
- Electrical renovation of the equipment;
- Installation of warning sirens.
