It seems that Auburn needs to do some dam work.
The city council on Thursday will discuss recommendations by city engineers for renovating the state dam. The dam, which is located near the city's water filtration plant and lower pumping station, controls the flow of water from Owasco Lake into the river.
The discussion will take place at City Hall during the council's work session meeting. The council will also hear a first reading of a proposed ordinance that would authorize the city to issue $200,000 in serial bonds to fund the project.
Two topics that will likely be discussed are the need for a new taintor gate and structural upgrades to the dam, according to Bruce Ross, Auburn assistant civil engineer. The taintor gate is the main mechanism for controlling the flow into the Owasco River and the city is required by the state to control that flow.
The rehabilitation project's highest priority is to maintain the structural integrity of the dam, Ross said.
“(The dam) is stable. But like everything else, over time, certain things are needed,” he said.
The renovations would not include plans for hydroelectric power.
While city officials have investigated the feasibility of generating power at the dam station, it was not found to be economically feasible, Ross said.
The renovation talks come in the wake of recent state upgrades in dam oversight. The DEC announced in February a proposal for mandating better maintenance, record keeping emergency planning and more frequent inspections at the state's more than 5,000 dams. If passed, the regulations would also call for annual certification by the DEC that state requirements are being met.
But Ross said the state's push for more dam regulation is not the driving force behind the city's renovation plans. Some things, like a dam break analysis and an emergency action plan, just need to be done, he said.
“Because we have some new council members, we want to give an update on where the dam (project) is at and how important it is,” Ross said.
The work session meeting will also include proposals and presentations for possible upgrades of city roads and sidewalks.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
The discussion will take place at City Hall during the council's work session meeting. The council will also hear a first reading of a proposed ordinance that would authorize the city to issue $200,000 in serial bonds to fund the project.
Two topics that will likely be discussed are the need for a new taintor gate and structural upgrades to the dam, according to Bruce Ross, Auburn assistant civil engineer. The taintor gate is the main mechanism for controlling the flow into the Owasco River and the city is required by the state to control that flow.
The rehabilitation project's highest priority is to maintain the structural integrity of the dam, Ross said.
“(The dam) is stable. But like everything else, over time, certain things are needed,” he said.
The renovations would not include plans for hydroelectric power.
While city officials have investigated the feasibility of generating power at the dam station, it was not found to be economically feasible, Ross said.
The renovation talks come in the wake of recent state upgrades in dam oversight. The DEC announced in February a proposal for mandating better maintenance, record keeping emergency planning and more frequent inspections at the state's more than 5,000 dams. If passed, the regulations would also call for annual certification by the DEC that state requirements are being met.
But Ross said the state's push for more dam regulation is not the driving force behind the city's renovation plans. Some things, like a dam break analysis and an emergency action plan, just need to be done, he said.
“Because we have some new council members, we want to give an update on where the dam (project) is at and how important it is,” Ross said.
The work session meeting will also include proposals and presentations for possible upgrades of city roads and sidewalks.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
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