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Home > Departments > Flood Control Commission > Improvements
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| Improvement Recommendation |
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| Arm Brook Dam | | This dam was constructed in 1966 with a permanent pool of water that is 30 feet in depth at the inlet structure. Grooming by way of mowing and touch up of worn areas with loam and seed is performed annually. Off road vehicles have long been a menace through their creating severe ruts in the dam face and top. Continued wear would weaken the dam risking failure. Erosion has been a problem in the recent past along the edge of the emergency spillway where drainage from Sunset Dr. and State drains from Southampton Road discharge a continuous stream which tends to flash flood. The toe drains or under-drains on the downstream face of the dam are showing signs of clogging and will need attention in the near future.
The most immediate concern with this facility is the sluice gate of the inlet structure. Yokes, which retain the stem and guide the threaded shaft, which operates the gate, have rusted. Their loss precludes the operation of the gate and so must be repaired. This will require draining the impoundment with repair activities performed as the water level rises. Appropriate funding will be requested in the upcoming budget.
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| Powdermill Brook Dam | | This dam was also constructed in 1966 with a permanent pool of water 8 feet deep at completion. This had been reduced to 6 inches due to severe siltation from erosion associated with the activities of the Twiss Street Landfill. The siltation reduced the volume behind the dam available for floodwaters and made the inlet structure susceptible to Beaver activity; which could potentially clog the inlet entirely. Only removal of the siltation in the vicinity around the inlet would permanently deter the beavers. Through the assistance of Mayor Sullivan dredging of the siltation pond was achieved during the summer of 1998 with Health Department funding.
Beavers have constructed a dam across an arch culvert under the Pioneer Valley Railroad immediately down stream. This dam has caused an impoundment of water, which inundates the underdrains of the subject facility. In the event of a flood this could cause failure. The Beaver dam must be removed. No funds have been budgeted for this to date.
Grooming by way of mowing and touch up of worn areas with loam and seed is also performed annually. Off road vehicles have been particularly abusive to this facility. It is hoped that a pedestrian trail can be developed with the Westfield High School and the closed Twiss Street Landfill, which will elevate visibility and awareness of this facility in order to deter such abuse.
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| Little River Dike | | Current commission activities along this dike revolve around an approx. 600 linear foot section off Ponders Hollow Road, which was repaired in 1983 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. An additional 1800 LF of dike exists outside of commission control. Flood control easements are necessary here with associated clearing and grooming activities. Mowing of the existing facility is hindered by the jersey-barrier obstruction placed across the entrance road. These are necessary to minimize damage from off-road vehicles. Replacement with a swing gate is desirable. |
| Westfield River Dike | | A clearing and grooming program has been in progress since 1995. The last complete clearing project occurred in 1987. As discussed earlier, the effort is now complete. The program consisted of cutting all brush and trees to within six inches of the dike face. The program did not remove the plant root ball. This will deteriorate in time and leave a depression or weak spot in the dike. This is a concern for the future. Although this procedure was less expensive, it was also less advantageous.
The presence of brush over an extended period has encouraged burrowing animals to take up residence, further compromising the dike integrity. Failure to keep the dike groomed had encouraged neighbors to encroach with landscaping and or refuse dumping.
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| Westfield River Flood Way | | The Flood Way of the Westfield River is that segment which experiences high velocities during a flood event due to a reduction in cross-section of the flood channel. The segment in question stretches from Whitney Playground to Williams Riding Way consisting of approximately 3000 LF of channel bottom. As with the dikes, the flood way has been neglected. Shrub and tree growth in this area will slow floodwaters thereby raising the flood elevation. The current dike is designed to be one foot above the 100-year flood and the Great River Bridge to be four feet above. To keep this safety zone, trees and undergrowth must be cleared and the area maintained in a cleared state. Once permitting has been completed this activity will extend the clearing program by three years at current funding levels, completion estimated sometime in FY 2005. This is five years out; growth of the vegetation will be significantly worse as will the danger. |
| Williams Riding Way Flood Control Pump Station | | The station was constructed in 1955 for the purpose of relieving storm drainage and sanitary sewage accumulation behind the dike in the event of a flood. That service is still required. Thanks to the assistance of Supt. Alan Pierce of the Dept. of Public Works the station has been kept operational, however, it is the nature of all mechanical parts to require maintenance, periodic overhauls and inevitable replacement. Although the entire station is in need of an overhaul, pressing needs include roof replacement and replacement of the exhaust systems of the two main pump-engines. A professional evaluation and inspection of the entire station is warranted. No such effort has been done since construction of the station. Known problems include leaking roof and rain leaders; broken glass block windows and deteriorated guards; deteriorated parapet brick work and cap; replacement of flexible exhaust connection, vent units, water gage column valve and exterior catch basin; cleaning sump pit and cover and trash grate. In addition, the installation of a dehumidifier for the lower level pump room would greatly reduce the paint failure and subsequent rusting of the pipes. The most pressing need is the replacement of the main pump-engine exhaust system. The Department of Public Works assistance has been indispensable however, they can only be asked to do so much. Additional funding through bond appropriation in the amount of $50,000 in bond funds has been requested to address the most pressing needs, additional funding is necessary. |
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