GSA Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado, USA - 2016

Paper No. 153-4
Presentation Time: 9:00 AM-6:30 PM

THE GEOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE ANGELES DAM SITE OF THE RED BLUFF PROJECT (NEW MEXICO AND TEXAS): PECOS RIVER, DAM CONSTRUCTION AND HISTORY FROM 1929 TO TODAY


GIBB, Connie L., Educational Studies, 5330 Rockford Dr, Lincoln, NE 68521 and HOWE, Mark L., US State Department, International Boundary and Water Commission, PO Box 12521, El Paso, TX 79913, clgneg0204@aol.com

The Angeles Dam Site - Red Bluff Project in Texas (1929) includes the preliminary geological report of the Angeles Dam Site in Texas on the Pecos River, that is an earthen dam. This original geologic study by Geologist Kirk Bryan, PhD was reported by C. A. Bissell, Bureau of Reclamation in his preliminary report. Dr. Bryan’s geological study of the original site in Texas found the dam site favorable but he made no conclusion on the feasibility of the site; for this he suggested more drilling and foundation testing. Our discussion will talk about the work Dr. Bryan contributed to the construction of this dam, additional geologic studies based on his recommendations and history of the geology in this area. This will also entail discussion as reported in the original 1929 Preliminary Report by Bissell and up to today and the current state of the Red Bluff Dam Site. Other discussion will include the construction of the dam from 1934 to 1936 based on original photos recently found in the IBWC archives.