Dam Rehabilitation Project
The Town of Putnam Valley has been in the process of a Dam Rehabilitation Project, promoted by the Roaring Brook Dam being rated “Unsound/Fair” by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). We do not meet the revised Dam standards set in 2009 for the "Half Maximum Flood" which are applicable to all 400 of the High Hazard Dams in New York State (Note that about 25% NY State Class C High Hazard dams were rated worse than we were.)
The Dam project is not a Repair – the dam is not broken or deteriorated in any way, but we need to do construction work on it to meet the new requirements given that the state is increasingly emphasizing major storm event preparedness in light of current weather trends. In a worst case scenario, the present Roaring Brook Lake dam could be overtopped by as much as 17 inches of water, with approximately 25 homes in the inundation zone, and even potential loss of life, according to the DEC. We are working “to prepare for the worst and hope for the best,” as committee leader Ina Cholst says.
The Town of Putnam Valley contracted with an engineering company, WSP, to (1) conduct an analysis, (2) prepare a complete engineering design for the rehabilitation of the dam, and (3) provide post design engineering services, including seeing the plan through DEC approval, bidding, and construction. WSP’s probable cost assessment for the construction is $700,000 to $800,000. There is considerable FEMA grant money available to NY State for rehabilitation purposes, and we hope to apply for a grant.
Altogether, there were 10 tasks outlined in the WSP contract, of which 60% have now been fully completed. Our Putnam Valley Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi is considering hiring a second engineering company to give a competing probable cost assessment for the construction.
To learn more about WSP’s work for us: