Evaluation of seepage problems of the Armağan Dam, Kırklareli, northwestern Turkey

The Armağan Dam, Turkey, is constructed on the metalimestones and chalk schists of the Dolapdere Formation. The metalimestones have been karstified, with clay infilling many of the solution features. When the river was impounded, the increase in water head resulted in some of the clay infill leaching out such that there was hydraulic connection between the reservoir and the area downstream. Dye tracing tests, pinhole and XRD analyses suggested the clays in the waters egressing downstream were from the solution infill rather than from the dam itself. Unless it is possible to wash out the clays from the metalimestones and replace them with grout, a continual programme of monitoring and grouting will be required to ensure the stability and water tightness of the dam.