Dam Maintenance 2018

In the Spring of 2018, during a higher than usual water level event, a sink hole had established on North Embankment behind the cut-off wall. The USF for the first time enacted the Dam’s Emergency Action Plan, one day after the Village of Saranac Lake activated their Lake Flower, due to localized flooding. Appropriate notifications were made as outlined in the Emergency Notification flowchart. The Town of Harrietstown provided sand bags and the Saranac Lake Fire Department assisted in filling the sink hole and sealed the upstream embankment and wing wall of the dam with plastic sheathing and sandbags under the direction of the NYSDEC, Dam Safety Section.  

The USF contracted Blue Mountain Engineering to oversee the repairs of the dam. This work included reviewing and making an assessment of the development of the sinkhole. Multiple days of dye testing, test pits, soil probing and soil borings were completed prior to implementing a short term repair plan. This initial phase, Phase One also included surveying of the property and constructing  a more substantial coffer dam.  Results of the assessment were summarized in an Investigative Engineering Report by Blue Mountain Engineering. 

In preparation for the required work, a fundraising campaign led by the USF, and supported entirely by private USL shore owners, raised the needed funding. In addition, permits and authorization were obtained by the Town of Harrietstown, Corp of Army Engineers, The Adirondack Park Agency and the NYS DEC.

An Engineering Design Plan was developed outlining what repairs were needed.  The plan, Phase Two included building a temporary access road, clearing the embankment, and dewatering and stabilizing the area behind the  coffer dam. A contractor was hired for Phase Two and work began in October and concluded in  November. 

The concrete cut-off wall and north wing-wall were excavated and replaced. In addition, the downstream side of the cut-off wall was excavated and fill removed, and replaced with concrete and crusher-run stone. The work site was fully restored, including removal of the temporary coffer dam and access road. 

This work including engineering fees was completed on time and under the estimated $300,000 budget. Blue Mountain Engineering emphasizes that while this work will bring the north embankment up to required standards, there is still additional work pending in the near future, Phase 3.

See pictures below.

Without the support of the shore owners who funded efforts to repair the dam, none of this would be possible.

$10000 and Up

$5000 and $9999

$2500 and $4999

$1000 and $2499

$500 to $999

$200 to $499

$199 and under