Drilling Near a Dam: How Careful Planning Protects Existing Structures

October 5, 2026

How do geotechnical engineering teams investigate the soil beneath a dam without endangering the dam itself?  Protecting surrounding structures is a responsibility that extends beyond any one project for geotechnical engineers working near important, sensitive infrastructure like dams, levees, and bridges. 

Before starting any investigation,  teams must carefully consider how drilling affects nearby structures and use techniques that minimize the risk of damage. If this step is missed or rushed, work that is meant to improve infrastructure could actually endanger it. 

A critical early step is to dedicate time to planning and research before drilling ever begins. Research can draw on information like geologic maps, previous geotechnical reports, and available records or drawings of existing structures to help evaluate soil conditions.  

Our case study on the Lake Houston Dam Spillway explains the planning and solutions that our team used to protect the dam while drilling nearby, up to 100 feet below grade.  We discuss how our experience in the area and in-depth analysis of HVJ’s past investigations near the site informed our drilling solutions.

HVJ Project Manager Fernando L. Aponte-Rivera, P.E., explains that the lesson extends beyond this project. “The more you know about the soil and structures already in place, the more confidence you have in preserving the integrity of existing structures while obtaining high-quality soil samples. What I appreciated most was collaborating across teams to achieve a common goal that kept safety and the community’s best interest at the forefront.” 

Read the full case study to see how early planning made safe drilling possible! 

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Photo Courtesy of the Coastal Water Authority

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