The designs of embankment dams on permafrost can be divided into two general types, frozen and thawed. The frozen type of embankments and their foundations are maintained frozen during the life structure. The thawed type of embankments usually are designed assuming that the embankment will remain unfrozen and its permafrost foundation will thaw during construction or during the operation of the structure. In some locations where water is to be retained intermittently for short periods of time, thawed embankments have been designed assuming the permafrost will remain frozen throughout the life of the embankment. In selecting this type of design for a particular site, many factors that are peculiar to cold regions must be considered. This summary of methods of design, construction and operations of embankment dams in permafrost areas records the successes and some failures that have occured. Embankment dams have been built and successfully operated in Canada, Greenland, the USSR and Alaska. A number of failures have been reported in the USSR and one in Alaska. Most of the difficulties arose because insufficient attention was given to establishing and maintaining a reliable frozen condition and to controlling seepage. Often the thawing and seepage in a frozen embankment or foundation are initiated adjacent to the spillway or outlet works indicating that inadequate cooling or impervious seepage cutoffs were established at these points. Further research is needed to improve embankment design in permafrost.

Cover title. "July 1987." Includes "author index (List of authors by subject)" Bibliography: p. 28-102.