Canal Lining | Socorro, New Mexico, USA

New Mexico Canal Reinforced
with CCX-M^®

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Project Overview

In December 2024, Concrete Canvas Ltds CCX-MAT^® GCCM (CCX-M^®) was used to line a half mile section of canal in New Mexico, USA. Located within New Mexico, the canal is part of a large network supplying vital water to local agricultural land which is mostly made up of unlined earthen canals. Over time, these canals would erode or require regular maintenance to address vegetation growth and damage from burrowing animals. Unlined canals also typically suffer from water loss, representing significant financial losses for the district.

Canal prior to works starting

Vegetation damaging the canal

3424ft

of canal lined with CCX-M^® ahead of irrigation season

6000ft²

installed using thermal bonding for low permeability

50%

lower cost than the shotcrete alternative

Solution

CCX-M^® was specified for lining the canal, primarily for its speed of installation, weed suppression performance and its low permeability using thermal bond and screwed joints (independent in-field tests have demonstrated that CCX-M^® lined canals show up to a 96% seepage reduction).

Canal subgrade compacted and re-profiled

CCX-M^® deployed in a transverse layup

CCX-M^® jointed using thermal bond and screws, hydrated and cured

Design & Installation

CCX-M^® Bulk Rolls specified
Canal subgrade graded and compacted to DOT standards
Transverse layup
Perimeter edges secured in anchor trenches using U-pegs
Thermally bonded and screwed overlap joints
Hydrated using water truck and hose

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Completed Installation

Summary

Offering a minimum operational design life of over 50 years, the CCX-M^® was installed at a cost 50% less than the shotcrete alternative and based on the success of this first section, the conservancy district is proposing to line subsequent miles of the canal network going forward.

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Canal in operation one month after installation

This is the first time our conservancy district has used CCX-M^® for a channel lining project of this magnitude. We are very pleased with the constructibility and ease of installation of CCX-M^®. We have a construction season open from November to the end of February, giving contractors limited time to complete construction projects. This 2024/2025 off-season our contractor was able to line around 3,424 feet of our main canal and we were able to return the canal to operational use in time for irrigation season. We are currently and will continue monitoring the CCX-M^® sections as the irrigation season continues, but so far, the material is holding up well and looks great. We plan to continue to use the product to line more of our canals. I would recommend other conservancy districts try out this material within their irrigation facilities.

Engineer