Deep-water pumping resumes

The water level at the Sanford Underground Laboratory has resumed its steady decline, with the resumption last week of pumping from the deep pool. Sanford Lab?s waterfall into Gold Run Creek also has returned to it?s normal flow, about 1,800 gallons per minute.

Hydro Resources? deep-water pump, which was pumping water from 7,800 feet underground, failed on July 23. The water level had been pumped down to nearly 5,700 feet underground by late July. Over the next 80 days the water level rose about 105 feet. 

Last week Hydro Resources replaced the failed pump with a smaller 525 horsepower pump, which was lowered down Six Winze to just below the 6500 Level.  This temporary system will operate well into next year, when the larger submersible pump will be reinstalled. (The cause of the pump failure has not been determined.)

Hydro Resources, which owns the deep-water pumping system, was responsible for replacing the pump. Randy Badger was their project manager. However, Sanford Lab Deputy Operations Director Will McElroy, who coordinated the pump replacement, credited a large Sanford Lab team with providing support. In fact, too many people to name here worked on the project.The lab?s crew leaders included:

Engineering Project manager Mike Johnson (project manager for the Sanford Lab)

Planner/Scheduler Kirby Denton (dewatering)

Electrical Safety Engineer Chris Bauer

Construction Site Safety Specialist Woody Hover

Underground Ops Foreman Jack Stratton

Technical Support Lead George Vandine (shaft technical support)

Rope Technician Rick Tinnell (underground site management and rigging)

Surface Ops Foreman Dan Regan

Facilities Technician Todd Stewart

The water level today is 5,596
feet underground, which means the 5600 level will soon by dry again.