Potworks Dam, the country’s largest natural water catchment, is undergoing critical field investigations to assess the level of repairs required after years of drought and neglect left the reservoir dry and overrun with vegetation.
The dam, which has the capacity to store up to one billion gallons of water, has been the focus of growing public calls for restoration. Consultant engineer Evron Zachariah, working with Cuban engineers, said drilling has begun to retrieve soil samples for laboratory testing.
The investigation will determine whether the reservoir bed contains enough clay to prevent leaks, or whether additional material will need to be added to boost water retention. “With that information, we can determine whether there’s a level of clay that needs to be there to protect the dam from leaking,” Zachariah explained.
Percolation tests are also being carried out to assess soil strength. The field work began last week and is expected to conclude shortly, after which lab analysis will guide the next steps.
“Based on the results, we will be able to tell what type of material is there, the nature of it, and those parameters that are required to ensure that the reservoir can indeed hold water,” Zachariah said.
The findings are expected to shape a long-term plan for restoring Potworks Dam to full capacity, improving national water security in the face of prolonged dry spells.
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