In September 2023, DA Smith completed a second-year fly-project at La Prele dam near Douglas, Wyoming, as part of RESPEC's multi-year geotechnical investigation ahead of replacement of the oldest and tallest open-front dam in the US.
DA Smith cored (HQ3) two exploration holes (200 and 250 feet deep; vertical and angled, respectively) via helicopter at a cliff-top location immediately downstream of the existing dam. The holes were located on steep terrain, requiring detailed planning and careful construction of a temporary platform to land and support the drill (Longyear HC-150 core drill). All equipment was flown to the drill site using an Airbus AS 350 B3 helicopter.
Lugeon water pressure (packer) testing was conducted by DA Smith and RESPEC to evaluate rock mass hydraulic conductivity, followed by geophysical downhole logging by Colog.
Drilling was completed successfully, on schedule, and on budget.
DA Smith previously core drilled via helicopter during the 2022 helicopter drilling campaign at La Prele dam. Ground access drilling was also conducted over three summers (2021-2023).