CS37B - Concurrent Session 37B: Rehabilitation of Woodward Pond Dam - Upgrading a 112 Year Old Dam to Modern Standards While Maintaining Historic Aesthetics

In response to a letter of deficiency issued by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Dam Bureau, the City of Keene embarked on a comprehensive dam rehabilitation program to increase the conveyance capacity, rehabilitate the outlet works, improve embankment slope stability, control and filter seepage through the embankment, and improve access to the 112-year old Woodward Pond Dam. Unique features of the project included replacing the outlet works and minimum release facility with a self-priming siphon, raising the dam with an innovative parapet, performing construction while maintaining a water supply pool, enhancing the original historic aesthetics of the site, and improving public safety for visitors.

This presentation will explain the selection and design of the self-priming outlet works, discuss the innovative details associated with the parapet, and the approach and features employed to enhance the historic aesthetics and public safety at the site. Challenges associated with the project will be presented, including the need to maintain a water supply pool during construction and design project features to withstand a frost depth of four feet. Lessons learned from the design and construction of the project will be shared.