One of the most challenging tunneling projects in the world
When the Southern Nevada Water Authority Capital Improvements Program needed to ensure services could be delivered even when Lake Mead was at low levels, they turned to the experts. In a joint venture with another firm, we provided extensive preliminary and final design phase services throughout construction to bring the Authority’s goal of full system capacity at low lake levels to fruition.
Geological conditions were a challenge on this project, particularly the presence of groundwater. Located primarily in the tertiary sedimentary rock of the muddy creek formation, the tunnel had to withstand a full 17 bar pressure. The tunnel boring machine was required to change between pressurized and unpressurized modes, and tunnel through rock, soil, and mixed face conditions. It traveled through three miles of solid rock and came within less than an inch of the center of its target while setting the record for current tunnel boring machine technology.
Approximately 90% of the drinking water delivered to customers in southern Nevada comes from the Colorado River, which is captured at Lake Mead. Thanks to our team, safe drinking water is consistently available to southern Nevada communities regardless of lake levels.
At a Glance
- Offices
- Client
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- Southern Nevada Water Authority
- Award
- 2016 Award of Merit (ASCE)
- Joint Venture
- MWHill with Stantec
Treating water with respect will help is build a better, more sustainable future.
Michael Manwaring, Senior Principal, Regional Sector Leader, Energy
Every energy storage project is a community project—they provide the essential power we need to function.
Russ Snow, Senior Vice President, Conveyance
The greatest satisfaction in my career is delivering major water infrastructure projects and see—firsthand—the benefit that it brings to the public.
Craig Wilcox, Vice President, Director of Engineering Delivery
Our breadth and depth of internal technical resources aren’t only well known in the industry—we’re sought out to solve the most challenging problems.
Carolyn Randolph Loar, Principal Engineering Geologist
I’m passionate about geological data and investigations. I believe they’re the foundation for any successful engineering project.
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