Optimization Avalanche Protection Dam Grawanock
Client:
Wintersport Tirol AG & CO Stubaier Bergbahnen KG
Job:
Along the glacier road to the Stubai Glacier, the avalanche protection dam on the Grawanockbach is to be optimized with regard to debris flows.
In 2022 and 2023, backfilling (2022) and ultimately a breach (2023) of the dam occurred due to debris flows.
In order to avoid backfilling and eventual damage to the dam in the future, the approved condition from 1981 was restored in an optimized version.
The dam was interrupted by a discharge section at the site of the old stream piping. Incoming debris flows through this section via a slight ford in the road into the existing channel and ultimately into the Ruetz. A side dam prevents the debris from reaching the retention area behind main dam, which should only be filled up by avalanches.
Should this occur in the event of a major incident, the dam was fitted with a second relief pipe at the eastern end to prevent the dam from bursting again. In the winter months, the discharge section can be closed with dam beams to ensure avalanche protection.
The project was carried out in collaboration with the office for statics and construction consulting Bmst. Dipl.-Ing. Peter Stippler and the engineering office for transportation Hirschhuber und Einsiedler OG
Challenges:
Maintaining avalanche safety despite creating continuity for debris flows.
Short processing time between late winter and the storm season.
Realisation:
2024
