Tipton Masonry Dam Repairs

Tipton Dam is a 71-foot high masonry gravity structure.  The dam, originally constructed by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1926 and now owned by the Altoona Water Authority, recently had evidence of joint deterioration and minor leakage.  The Authority undertook an extensive repair program with help of design engineer, Gwin, Dobson & Foreman, Inc.

The following items were successfully completed:

• Crest and spillway caps were repaired, reset and painted with a cementitious coating system
• Placement of 8,300 square feet of shotcrete on the upstream masonry face of the dam.  The shotcrete was placed with a 2" fibrous layer over the entire surface to seal all joints
• Sluice gates (two (2) 24" and one (1) 36" diameter) and operators were refurbished.  The operator stems, stem guides and trash racks were also replaced
• Underwater inspection of intake structure, 24" intake line, 36" blow-off pipe, associated valving, upstream dam face and masonry joints including reports and videos
• Staff gauge installation mounted on vertical, upstream face