[KC Burke]

I think we should add for Jim and others with the same questions that there are repair techniques that are used when full understanding of an internal problem is reached. Short of cutting into a dam after reservoir draining, there are pressure grouting, relief drilling and other methods that are used when a problem occurs.

Diagnosis is paramount however as incorrect repairs could make matters much worse.

[Jim W N]

Thanks KC.

[EarthResearcher333]

"Diagnosis is paramount however as incorrect repairs could make matters much worse.

Yes, understanding the origin drives options.

I've read of techniques using sensitive InfraRed thermal imaging systems to help diagnose water seepage presence and sources. Subsurface percolation and evaporation provides a "cooling" thermal profile that would not be observable in the visible light spectrum. This has been used at dams to investigate wet areas deeper within the structure.

I've used FLIR systems to investigate warming spots on volcanoes. You need a thermal absorption profile of the rock to delineate/analyze the image results. An interesting note is that trees will absorb heat from the roots near the andesite and the full tree will appear brighter than the snow covered andesite areas with cooler trees.