The Paltinu Dam is operating in structurally safe conditions, and the institution will continue permanent monitoring and will transparently communicate, when necessary, verified information, in order to prevent misinterpretations and unjustified alarm, representatives of the National Administration Apele Romane (ANAR) announced on Tuesday.
The institution comes with a series of technical clarifications regarding the Paltinu Dam, after images and comments appeared in the public space that support the existence of a "crack along the entire height of the dam".
"Following the publication in the public space of some photographs and interpretations that support the existence of a 'crack along the entire height of the dam', with an approximate orientation of 45 degrees and with possible torsion-type implications, as well as following comments regarding the history of the works in the left slope area and the alleged ('fatal') severity of the phenomenon, the National Administration Apele Romane presents the following technical clarifications, based on engineering evaluation and on the actual exploitation data of the construction. The photographs show dark vertical and oblique traces and fine discontinuities on the surface of the downstream face. First of all, it is essential to correlate these images with the hydraulic conditions at the time of their creation. On the date mentioned in the post, the water level in the accumulation was at an elevation of approximately 632 m, while the dam crest is at an elevation of 654 meters. In these conditions, the visible traces cannot be attributed, in a simplistic way, to a 'lake infiltration' at high altitudes, determined by the hydrostatic pressure of the accumulation up to close to the crown", the press release states.
According to the cited source, the observed aspects are compatible, with high probability, with wetting and superficial leakage phenomena generated by precipitation, melted snow, condensation and controlled evacuations of meteoric waters or drainages from the crown and the related infrastructure.
ANAR specifies that such leaks can concentrate on preferential routes, determined by the roughness of the concrete, technological joints, areas with slightly different superficial permeability or constructive elements that collect and direct water. Over time, these routes become evident through deposits and patina, which can create the impression of a "continuous crack", although, in reality, it is a trace of flow or a stabilized superficial discontinuity.
"In conclusion, the traces in the photographs that appeared in the public space do not constitute, by themselves, proof of an active structural crack and do not indicate a risk for the population or for the downstream infrastructure. The Paltinu Dam operates under structurally safe conditions, and the institution will continue permanent monitoring and will transparently communicate, when necessary, verified information, in order to prevent erroneous interpretations and unjustified alarm. The National Administration Apele Romane encourages responsible information and reaffirms that the safety of hydrotechnical constructions is treated with maximum technical and institutional rigor", the ANAR representatives also sent in a statement.
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