Horsethief Reservoir

Structure

More complex structures, like HorseThief Reservoir, have other features, such as a slurry trench.

A cement-bentonite slurry wall will be incorporated into the HorseThief dam to insure that water captured from runoff will stay in the Reservoir, rather than seeping under it.
The cement-bentonite mixture is virtually impenetrable by water.
The slurry wall at HorseThief Reservoir will be constructed by excavating a trench into at least 3 feet of bedrock, filling it with a slurry mixture as it deepens in order to prevent collapse.
The slurry mixture will be replaced by a mixture of cement and bentonite that will harden, preventing the escape of water.
A limited number of specialized contractors in the U.S. are qualified to d this type of work, since “the excavation and backfill of the trench is critical.”