Rating Does Not Mean Failure Is Imminent
by Doug La Rocque
A recent survey of dams around New York State by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) obtained by The Eastwick Press places three dams in the Town of Grafton and one in the Town of Berlin on their unsound list. The DEC however explains a Condition Rating of Unsound refers to “dams with deficiencies of such a nature that the safety of the dam cannot be assured.” The unsound ratings do not mean that a dam is in imminent danger of failure, it reflects dams that don’t meet New York’s rigorous safety standards, or information on whether they meet the standards is inadequate or hasn’t been submitted by the dam owner.
Of Serious Concern
The Martin Dunham Reservoir Dam in Grafton has been given a Condition Rating of Unsound-Deficiency Recognized. According to DEC Public Information Officer Lori Severino this means “a dam safety deficiency is recognized for loading conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary.
The dam was given this rating due to having less than required spillway capacity and less than required structural stability, according to a 2013 engineering report submitted by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation (OPRHP).” This dam was inspected by DEC’s Dam Safety program on January 3, 2020.
Dams of Note
The Second Pond Dam at Grafton Lakes State Park (GLSP) has received a Condition Rating of Unsound-Fair. According to Ms. Severino, this means “no existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal loading conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency.”
The dam was given this rating due to the dam having slightly less than required spillway capacity, according to an engineering report submitted by OPRHP in 2013. This dam was inspected by DEC’s Dam Safety program on January 3, 2020 as well.
Receiving a similar rating is the Black River Pond Dam at Cherry Plain State Park. The last OPRHP report on the dam was submitted in 2014. It was last inspected by DEC on April 2, 2021.
Missing Information
The report says the Mill Pond Dam at GLSP is rated as Unsound-More Analysis Needed. According to DEC this rating means information regarding the dam’s conformance with safety criteria is inadequate or missing.
The dam was given this rating because a 10-year engineering review has not been completed. This dam was also inspected by DEC’s Dam Safety program on January 3, 2020.
All four of these dams have been classified by DEC as High Hazard. DEC’s Severino explains this classification “refers to the potential for nearby damage should a dam fail, not a dam’s likelihood of failure. A High Hazard dam is classified where failure may result in widespread or serious damage to homes, main highways, industrial or commercial buildings, railroads, and/or important utilities, etc.”
All four of these dams are on property owned by OPRHP. A request to that agency for additional information pertaining to updated engineering reviews or possible remedial action was not answered as of press time.
