Drilling
Drilling is the foundation of every geotechnical stabilization project, from rock bolts and soil nails to micropiles and horizontal drains. We operate one of the region's most versatile drilling fleets, reaching remote sites, steep slopes, and geological formations that stop conventional rigs.
Full-Range Drilling Capabilities
Precision drilling determines the performance of the entire stabilization system. The right drilling method ensures anchors and reinforcement reach competent bearing material, maintains hole stability in weak or fractured rock, maximizes bond strength for grouted systems, enables long horizontal drains to relieve groundwater, supports accurate logging, sampling, and QA/QC, and allows installation in environments where access is limited or dangerous. Without quality drilling, no rock bolt, soil nail, micropile, or anchor can perform to its engineered capacity.
Common applications include slope stabilization (rock bolts, dowels, nails), foundation repair and underpinning, retaining wall support (tiebacks, soldier pile anchors), drainage control for landslide remediation, tunnel support systems, highwall and mining stabilization, and geotechnical investigations and characterization.
Rock Supremacy supports drilling operations under the most demanding site conditions: over 1,000,000 feet drilled across the Western U.S., 200+ feet vertical drilling capability, steep-slope and rope-access drilling operations, helicopter deployment for remote terrain, specialty tooling for fractured or weathered rock, real-time monitoring and borehole quality control, and integration with grouting, anchoring, and shotcrete teams. Whether the project requires precision placement of a single rock bolt or a high-production drilling program for a large stabilization effort, we have the equipment and expertise to execute it efficiently and safely.
Drilling is required when your project involves rock bolts, soil nails, or anchors, horizontal or weep drains, micropile foundations, shotcrete reinforcement, retaining wall tiebacks, tunnel support systems, subsurface investigations, or stabilization following rockfall or landslides. If drilling is involved, we handle it, no matter the terrain, geology, or access constraints.
This service supports our solutions for:
Tools & Technology
We deploy specialized equipment matched to project requirements and site conditions.
How We Do It
Proven methods and specialized techniques that deliver reliable, long-lasting results.
Horizontal Drains
Horizontal drains are slightly upward-inclined drilled drains (50 to 500 plus ft, 2 to 4 inch slotted PVC or HDPE) installed into a slope or embankment to lower the groundwater table and relieve the pore pressure that drives landslide movement. Standard slope-drainage tool per TRB Special Report 247 and FHWA-NHI-08-097.
Micropiles
Micropiles are small-diameter, high-strength deep foundation elements used to transfer loads into competent ground. Their versatility makes them ideal for underpinning, slope stabilization, and situations with limited access or difficult geology.
Rock Bolting
Rock bolting stabilizes fractured, jointed, or unstable rock masses by anchoring steel bars deep into competent rock. By tying loose blocks back to stable substrate, rock bolts improve the overall strength and cohesion of slopes, cuts, tunnels, and vertical faces.
Rock Dowels
Rock dowels are passive ground-reinforcement elements installed in fractured or jointed rock to provide shear resistance across discontinuities. The bar is fully grouted along its entire length and develops tension only as the rock attempts to deform.
Soil Nailing
Steel bars driven into soil to reinforce and stabilize loose ground or slope faces.
Tieback Anchors
Tieback anchors are post-tensioned ground anchors that drill through a wall facing into competent soil or rock, develop bond along a deep fixed length, and are stressed to lock in 100 to 600 plus kips of holding load. They provide the active lateral restraint behind soldier pile walls, secant pile walls, foundation tie-ins, and dam abutments where passive systems would not develop adequate capacity.
Why Choose Rock Supremacy
Our Work in Action
Drilling FAQ
What Our Clients Say
We take pride in building lasting relationships with our clients through exceptional service and results.
"It amazes me how quick these guys adapt to challenging and seemingly overwhelming construction situations in the best, and most creative approach. Very smart, dedicated, hardworking group of brave workers in hazardous work sites. Not the type of work just anyone can do! Keep up the good work!"
"We've been doing business with Rock Supremacy for many years now. Rowan and the whole staff are true Professionals with highly skilled employees and specialty equipment. Highly recommend Rock Supremacy!"
"We engaged Rock Supremacy for a very challenging cliffside project that involved the stabilization and reinforcement of a retaining wall which ultimately required a total of ten drilled horizontal rock anchors, multiple vertical stabilization pilings and encapsulation with concrete structural reinforcement. Even though my residential project, as large as it was to me, was of a much smaller scale than the company often deals with, it approached the task with all of the consideration and professionalism I could hope for. Notably, they were not hesitant to take on a challenging terrain even with its limited access. From the outset, Corey Muir was very engaged in the project and with finding workable solutions. He was eager to explore alternative options for accomplishing the goals and worked diligently with my engineering consultants to tweak the design for a practical, affordable solution. Throughout the planning process, he maintained excellent communications with myself and our structural engineers. Corey was careful to make sure, prior to our final agreement, that all details were fully understood. The company began the project exactly when anticipated. The on-site crew, David, Nate and Jules proved to be the "A" team. They are very skilled and professional. I found them considerate, easy to interact with, and flexible with regard to change possibilities. The team showed careful concern for my property and all possible avoidance of collateral damage while completing a job that involved some very heavy equipment. When the concrete supplier was unduly delayed, they took it in stride and made the best of the situation. The job was actually finished a little ahead of schedule. Definitely a five star rating for this group, I would be happy to further discuss my experience with anyone contemplating the use of Rock Supremacy's services."
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Ready to discuss your drilling needs? Our team can assess your site conditions and provide a custom solution.
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Licensed in CO, UT, WY, ID, MT, CA, WA, OR, TN, VA
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Landslide Remediation
Rockfall Mitigation
Slope Stabilization