Alesani dam, NESSIE and LISIE intervene in Corsica
Hivers et printemps 2023, c’est en Haute-Corse que nos deux robots subaquatiques NESSIE et LISIE ont débarqués pour une intervention combinée à destination des organes de production et de sureté du barrage.
50,000m3 of sediment were removed from around the water intake strainer to allow work to be carried out on the strainer’s venting components, thus ensuring the durability of this essential infrastructure for the region.
A Key Dam for Haute-Corse
Built in 1970, at a height of 65 metres and a length of 155 metres, the Alesani dam is a rock-fill structure designed to hold back a volume of water of 11.3 million m³ over a surface area of 49 hectares. Fed by the Alesani river, the dam plays a vital role in the region’s water supply, notably for the irrigation of citrus-growing land on the southern plain.
The watershed that feeds the dam covers an area of 56 km², guaranteeing an essential water reserve for local agricultural and industrial activities. Thanks to its altitude of 165 meters, it enables efficient management of water resources, while contributing to the ecological balance of the region.
A targeted dredging operation
The NESSIE robot was used to carry out a 50,000m3 mass dredging operation at the bottom of the reservoir. Over time, sediment transported by the Alesani River accumulates, reducing the reservoir’s capacity and impacting the efficiency of the water intake systems. The works group was selected for the advantage of the NESSIE robot, which can work independently of the water level. Dredging began at a depth of 10 m and ended at over 50 m.
LISIE then intervened to carry out fine cleaning around the water intake strainer and to clear the components on which maintenance was planned.
The Alésani dam, although built over 50 years ago, benefits today from the latest technological innovations for its maintenance. As a key structure for irrigation, water supply and hydroelectricity, the dam must be kept in perfect working order. Regular dredging operations, such as the one carried out by LISIE, guarantee the long-term operation of this infrastructure.
The operation restored the dam’s safety components, thereby extending its service life.
Modern robots at the service of a 50-year-old structure
NESSIE and LISIE’s intervention at Alésani underlines the importance of innovative technologies for the management of hydraulic infrastructures. Thanks to this operation, the region can continue to rely on this dam to ensure the supply of water and energy to its inhabitants, while responding to environmental challenges.
