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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-08-28 352 AF ORDER352 AF Introduced by Councilor Willey, August 28, 1978 CITY OF BANGOR (TITEEJ (DrUr,...._ Directing city. Engineer to Prepare Report-Removal of Bangor Waterworks Dam By Ww City Catweed of Me City ofRanyor: TMT WREREAS, the wooden portion of the Dam at the Waterworks is rapidly deteriorating to a point share complete structural failure may be imminent, and WHEREAS, it would appear to be more economical to undertake the orderly removal of the Dam during low water periods, rather than be faced with the problem of the cleeanup of widespread debris should the Dam fail during high water periods, NOW, lUEREFORE, be it ORDERED, that the City Engineer be and hereby is directed to determine the feasibility and cost of removing the Dam during low water periods this fall, and to research the various regulatory permits which may be required, as well as other legal considerations which may result from the removal of the Dam, and the City Engineer is further _ ORDERED, to report his findings to the City Council for further action. STATITTENT OF FACT: The possible removal of the existing Dam does not necessarily mean that the City would be abandoning all future intentions of permitting the development of power generation facilities at the site. The study is intended to determine whether the present Dam has become unsuitable for restoration, and might require replacement if future power generation facilities were installed. IN CDTY COUNCIL AUGUST 28,.1978 PASSED k uG CI1Y CLERK U Ti[le, OIR@1ING CITY .ENGINEER TO PREPARE ..... N-0PO%P. RFdWAL OP MNfAW WA%ERNO. DAM. ........In e. led by :..'COuneilmen 352 AF ORDER CITY OF BANGOR, MAINE Engineering Department I To: John t;. Flynn, City Manager From: John T. Frawley, City Engineer Subject: Bangor Dam Removal January 29, 1979 In accordance with City Council Crder No. 352 AF passed August 28, 1978, directing this office to study the feasibility and determine the cost of removing the Bangor Dam, the following report is submitted: The existing Dam consists of a wooden structure approxi- mately 780 feet long, with an additional concrete extension to the Brewer shore having a length of approximately 300 feet. The letter section was constructed in 1923 after a flood had washed out the shoreline at the Brewer end of the Dam. The wooden portion of the Dam, which was built in 1875, consists of wooden cribbing with stone ballast, covered by heavy plank sheathing. In 1970, the City decided to perform no further maintenance of the existing Dam, since it was felt that the further genera- tion of power and continual upkeep was no longer economically feasible. Consequently, certain deterioration has taken place, which has resulted in the breaking up of approximately 100 feet of the wooden Dam at the point where it joins the concrete section near the Brewer shore. The Dam has been breached to the extent that the entire flow of the river passes tbrough the breach, except possibly during extreme high flow conditions; in effect, the structure no longer serves as a dam. :ts of would Work on the Pew. Nnrth a sudden failure of the is unlikely, and it is be gradual, occurring a Bangor shore. Even if would be no noticeable area below the Dam. Tb damage by the scetterin the Dam, or the possibl tion; however, the lett uncommon, since such me river from above. rer generation have agreed that the 'placement if such power generating consequently, there is no need to .ng breach nor to provide any corrective the breach is of such extent that. a structure during high water periods ed that further deterioration will outer end and working toward the im should fail in its entirety, there or rising of water level in the possible concern would be possible ebris along the shoreline below .rference of the debris with navign- sibility of floating debris is not is often seen floating down the -1- With regard to the removal of the Dam, various methods have been examined, including blasting, burning, removal by hand, avd removal by machine. The first two methods are not considered environmentally sound, would not be very effective in accomp- lishing removal, and would still result in a considerable amount of debris deposited into the river. It appears that the best method would be to remove the Dam by the use of machinery. There is sufficient room at low water level to construct a gravel haul road on the East aide of the existing gate house, which would provide access for machinery and trucks to the Bangor end of the Dam. The Dam structure appears to be quite sound, and with possible grate reinforcement, a backhoe and trucks could be moved to the outer end, to begin dismantling the Dam toward the Bangor shore. However, it would appear to be extremely costly, since the existing Dam contains approximately 20,000 cubic yards of timber and stone. It is estimated that the total cost of removal would be in the vicinity of $200,000.00. Based upon the above information, the following recommendations are made: 1. It is felt that the cost of removal is excessive, with no known sources of funding for such removal, and it is recom- mended that the Dam remain in place in its present state. 2. The condition of the Dam should be checked periodically, and any loose sections which appear to be near failure should be removed, which could probably be done by hand. 3• Possible assistance by the Army Engineers or the National Guard could be sought to assist in further removal. 4. It is felt that any debris from the Dam which might be deposited on adjacent stores should be removed by the City when requests are made for such removal. 5. To date, it has not been determined that any permits or licenses will be required ftom any State or Federal agency to either remove the Dam or to maintain it in its present condition. 6. Should any sources of Federal or State funds be made available for removal, then it is recommended that removal be made at that time. 7. The removal of the concrete section on the Brewer shore would be extremely costly; since that section is now virtually above the water line, it is felt that it should remain in place. If you have any questions regarding this information, please do not hesitate to call. -2-