Hang in There: Rope Access for Dam Safety Inspections: Instructors

Joshua Paquet
GFT
Chief Hydraulic Structures Engineer / Office Principal

Mr. Paquet has more than 10 years of experience in the inspection, evaluation, and design of hydraulic structures. Some of his past experience includes the inspection of various hydraulic structures that include radial Tainter gates, vertical slide gates, miter lock gates, bulkhead structures, braced cofferdams, reinforced concrete piers and spillways, operation walkways, hoist support systems, penstocks and powerhouses. Mr. Paquet holds a Level 1 Rope Access Operator certification from the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians which he regularly utilizes for conducting inspections of hydraulic structures with challenging access, including access in confined spaces.

Michelle Karlen 
GFT
Senior Project Engineer

Ms. Karlen has over 10 years of civil/structural engineering experience, the last six of which have been focused on detailed assessments and inspections of canals, flumes, tunnels, penstocks, and radial gates. She has provided training for both dam and canal inspections. Ms. Karlen holds a Level 1 SPRAT certification which she uses for conducting inspections with challenging access.