Spelga dam
Spelga Dam in the Mourne Mountains (South of Belfast) in Northern Ireland was under construction and started to move. All construction stopped for a year while it was fully investigated. The dam was needed to supply fresh wholesome water to the growing city of Belfast.
It turned out that the dam was being constructed on top of a “mother boulder” as described in the report conducted by the Structural Engineers at the time. All work was stopped and the boulder and clay underneath it was removed before the dam started again on top of the actual bedrock of the valley.
This was the last time explosives had been used in peacetime before the troubles and it led to the creation of the Structural Engineers Institute of Ireland.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Barrage.
- Caisson.
- Check dam.
- Coastal defences.
- Dam construction.
- Dredging.
- Dual purpose reservoirs.
- Flood defences.
- Hydropower.
- Irrigation.
- Land reclamation.
- Relief well.
- River engineering.
- Tidal lagoon power.
- Thames barrier.
- Trading systems for water resources.
- Water engineering.
- Water transfers and interconnections.
Featured articles and news
A case study and a warning to would-be developers
Creating four dwellings... after half a century of doing this job, why, oh why, is it so difficult?
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.