Odin was selected to reconstruct deteriorated portions of the lower reach of the 2.1-mile concrete American Canal, constructed in the 1930s. The canal, which flows along the Rio Grande then into the Franklin Canal, was placed in service June 2, 1938 to divert Rio Grande water for El Paso area farmers and the City of El Paso and to ensure the equitable division of Rio Grande water with Mexico. American Canal is essential to meeting water deliveries under the U.S. Treaty of 1906 with Mexico. Since being placed in service, the canal has deteriorated, requiring removal and replacement of sections for continued serviceability.

The project consists of demolishing approximately 3,215 linear feet of the existing American Canal and installing approximately 2,518 linear feet of 24-foot span by 12- to 14-foot rise arch concrete culverts. Another 510 linear feet of 24-foot by 15-foot-deep concrete U-channel is being constructed to tie into the College Arroyo Overchute. The design is deepening the canal by 3 feet and altering its geometry to increase the flow rate from 1,200 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 1,535 cfs. Additional scope elements include construction of manholes and safety and accessibility features, such as ramps, safety ladders, safety cables, and handrails. Odin is also responsible for designing and constructing a secant pile wall and tiebacks to serve as an earth retention system and aid in controlling water.

Dewatering. To dewater the construction site located in an area of shallow groundwater, Odin engaged a subcontractor to install a series of strategically placed deep wells and wellpoints and a pumping system employing electric submersible pumps, wellpoint pumps, and hydraulic sump pumps. A 1,400-foot manifold piping system and 700 feet of 8-to 12-inch HDPE pipe convey discharge from the deep wells back to the canal, downstream of the construction area. The wellpoints are served by 1,800 feet of 8- to 12-inch HDPE pipe conveying the influent around the construction area. Odin operates and maintains the dewatering system that is conveying 900 to 1,100 gallons per minute out the of work area and into Rio Grande Canal. Test reports and samples are provided to IBWC biweekly to comply with water quality requirements.

Arch Concrete Culverts. Odin is responsible for procuring the 24-foot span by 12- to 14-foot rise precast arch culverts from a local supplier. Odin conducts quality inspections at the plant and communicates the project schedule to ensure that the arch culverts are fabricated and delivered to the site as needed. The culvert sections, weighing up to 50,000 lbs. each, are delivered on a flatbed truck, picked with a 250-ton crane, set in place, and sealed at the base and exterior joints. The client provided 160 of the required 322 8-foot-wide culverts, which had been stored for a decade. Odin conducted quality control inspections and provided repair of this Government Furnished Material (GFM) to enable its use.

During the first construction season, Odin installed 13 arch culvert sections out of sequence to permit stakeholder El Paso Water to complete the planned replacement of Upper Valley Outfall  30-inch force main sewer line that crosses the canal.

Headwalls and U-Channel. Concrete headwalls on the landside and the levee side of the canal were completed in the first construction season. The headwalls are 24 to 25 feet wide by 20 feet tall and 2 feet thick. Odin completed construction of 511 feet of 24 foot-wide, 15-foot-deep U-channel, which was cast in place following demolition and deepening by 3 feet of the existing canal. Deepening the canal required the use of 10,000 lb. hammers mounted on excavators to address rocky conditions below the existing canal. Rebar was placed and tied per the specifications and concrete placed. The headwall and U-channel total a combined 4,213 cy of concrete.

Secant Pile Walls. To address complex geologic and hydrologic conditions, Odin, in collaboration with its Engineer of Record, Geosyntec, is employing a robust secant pile wall system with tiebacks. This system ensures earth retention and groundwater management during construction. Primary and secondary secant piles, strategically reinforced and aligned via guide walls, are installed using advanced drilling techniques. Temporary casings, augers, and tremie pipes facilitate precise excavation and concrete placement, even in waterlogged conditions. Strict adherence to quality control measures ensures structural integrity. Rigorous procedures for drilling, casing withdrawal, and reinforcement placement maintain verticality, alignment, and material consistency.