Excavation and construction of the new locks on the Pacific side for the Canal expansion requires a series of ancillary works in order not to affect the development of the works when they start to run.
One of the immediate problems that has been detected and that may negatively impact the development of the work is the current course of the Cocolí River which discharges its waters into Lake Miraflores and will be intercepted in its course by the projected alignment of the new locks of the Pacific side.
The solution to this problem is to change the trajectory of the waters of the Cocolí River through the design and construction of a diversion channel, which is part of the Canal Expansion Project (PAC-2). This will prevent future excavation work from conflicting with the schedule of activities to be developed in the area.
The design of the channel of diversion of the Cocolí River contemplated two stages: the development of the hydrological study and the integral hydraulic analysis of the projected channel and its impact along its trajectory.
In the hydrological study, the design flow rates of the Cocolí River were estimated up to the diversion site and three tributaries that run naturally through the area and that will be affected in their natural course by the projected alignment of the diversion channel. In order to estimate the design flows, preliminary studies were used, but due to the magnitude of the project, they were expanded using hydrological modeling techniques, which were complemented with field inspections.
The hydraulic analysis of the diversion channel contemplated, the integral study of all the existing components and structures and those that are designed to design, the alignment of the new channel and the problems that can be introduced in the area due to the new channel, flood plains and determination of the long water profiles of the diversion channel. In order to model the whole system to determine all problems and recommend their solutions in the most economical way.
Within the hydraulic design of the canals, it was contemplated to take advantage of part of the existing channels in order to reduce excavation work. In addition, it is contemplated the construction of a vehicular bridge to give access to the west side of the channel and to the contractors who are going to be developing the works of excavation and construction of the new locks.