Woodstock selectmen last week hired engineer Jim Sysko to design and oversee the reconstruction of the Lake Christopher Dam, at a cost of $38,500.
The engineering work and construction bid process will take place this fall, with reconstruction slated for August of 2013. The overall estimate for the reconstruction, provided by Sysko, is $140,000.
An evaluation of the century-old dam by another engineer this spring judged the structure to be in fair to poor condition, and while it does not appear in danger of imminent failure, its deficiencies “pose a certain risk for reliable operation during normal conditions and, especially during significant 10-to-25 year, and extreme 50-to-100-year flood events.”
The town has been putting aside funds to repair the dam, adding $100,000 to the fund at the March town meeting, for a total of $110,000.
Town Manager Vern Maxfield said voters will be asked to raise/appropriate the remaining funds at the 2013 annual town meeting.
Engineer Myron Petrovsky, who did the April evaluation, said that the dam leaks at a rate of 300 to 600 gallons per minute, which could also affect the lake level during prolonged dry seasons.
He also said that the roots of large trees are penetrating the embankment, while trees growing on the downstream slope are displacing and dislodging masonry.
Sysko’s proposal also included $1,000 for a walkway bridge design across the top of the dam.
As for the dam itself, Sysko proposes a new containment wall and spillway, with the spillway to be widened by four feet.
In his proposal to the town, Sysko said, “I enjoy the challenge of solving water-related problems and look forward to making the necessary improvements to the Lake Christopher Dam. I am confident that the results will make the dam area both function with a higher degree of safety, and look much more attractive.”
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