Henry Doorly Zoo – Alaskan Adventure

Quick Facts

• Located in Omaha, NE
• Alaskan themed splash park with 75 bronze statues

Services

• Geotechnical Engineering
• Materials Testing and Special Inspections

The Alaskan Adventure is a splashgrounds with unique water features and will eventually include a new sea lion pool and a home for polar bears. The exhibit features Alaskan-themed dancing waters that spray and spout over 75 bronze sculptures.   The main attraction of the Alaskan Adventure is the 18-foot-high humpback whale which has water falling down from its extended fins. Thiele Geotech, Inc. performed the geotechnical exploration during the design of the exhibit. Auger cast in place piles were used to support the pump house structure, which handles the inflow and outflow of water for the splash park. During the construction phase, Thiele Geotech observed reinforced concrete, retaining wall installation, structural masonry, and welded and bolted connections. Materials testing was performed on soils, concrete, masonry and shotcrete.