“Our team of geologists, engineering geologists, and hydrogeologists are ready to assist you with your site development needs. SALEM Engineering Group, Inc. has broad and localized experience in assisting owners, developers, architects, engineers, and governmental agencies in applying value-based geologic engineering and hydrogeologic services to their varied projects.”

The western United States represents a complex geologic and seismic environment, and site development projects located in this region are often faced with challenging conditions. SALEM  Engineering Group, Inc. understands that these potential issues require the coordinated effort of experienced geologists and hydrogeologists to provide value-oriented solutions.  Our team of experienced staff are able to successfully tackle the various geologic hazards and unique groundwater conditions that may affect your property/project including fault rupture hazard investigation, liquefaction evaluation, slope stability issues, probabilistic and deterministic seismic risk, shallow groundwater, rippability assessment, mining reclamation, forensic studies, construction dewatering,  aquifer testing, and infiltration basin design. 

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Dewatering

The presence of shallow groundwater may severely affect construction plans.  A well-designed dewatering program is essential in construction sequencing and implementation, which requires early notification of the potential to encounter shallow water.  During the geotechnical investigation phase of site development, SALEM  Engineering Group, Inc. can assess groundwater depth, potential seasonal fluctuation, and anticipated seepage rates using soil boring or cone penetrometer test (CPT) methods.  SALEM Engineering Group, Inc. may recommend installation of piezometers to better identify groundwater conditions and monitor the effectiveness of dewatering activities.  SALEM Engineering Group, Inc. can than assist in the dewatering system design, generally provided by specialists for larger construction sites.

Vadose Zone Flow Modeling and Infiltration Basin Design

The flow of water within the unsaturated (vadose) zone is controlled by many factors that primarily include soil type/texture, but may also be significantly affected by soil layering, soil chemistry and dispersive characteristics, or outside subsurface recharge sources.  SALEM Engineering Group, Inc. uses vadose modeling software to better understand existing and future subsurface flows and the potential for groundwater mounding and lateral migration of saturated conditions.  SALEM Engineering Group, Inc. can develop a subsurface characterization plan at existing or potential basins to assess the vadose zone characteristics and to help determine if mitigation methods to increase (or in some instances decrease) subsurface flow may be required.  SALEM Engineering Group, Inc. can conduct borehole/backhoe pit or dual-ring infiltrometer testing to determine percolation/infiltration rates to be used for basin design.

Aquifer Testing

SALEM Engineering Group, Inc. can conduct aquifer testing (pump testing) activities that may be used to determine safe yield values for groundwater wells, or to understand aquifer characteristics used in groundwater and contaminant flow modelling at environmentally-sensitive sites.  The testing involves using a permanently (or temporarily) installed submersible pump to extract groundwater from the pumped well and then monitor changes in water level in the pumped well and, if present, surrounding wells.

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