Milford Water Company retained Tata & Howard to perform a visual inspection and prepare a report of conditions for Echo Lake Dam and appurtenant structures. Echo Lake Dam is located at the head of the Charles River in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and serves to impound water to create Echo Lake, a public water supply reservoir for the Town of Milford, operated by the Milford Water Company.
The dam measures approximately 198 feet in length with a structural height of 41 feet and a hydraulic height of 30 feet from the 24-inch outlet pipe to spillway crest. The dam was built in 1898, raised 10 feet with stone masonry in 1901, and raised 2.5 feet with stop planks in 1987. The dam is classified as large and high hazard potential.
The Phase I Inspection / Evaluation Report was performed in accordance with MGL Chapter 253, Sections 44-50 of the Massachusetts General Laws. The purpose of the investigation was to inspect and evaluate the present condition of the dam and appurtenant structures to provide information that will assist in both prioritizing dam repair needs and planning/conducting maintenance and operation.
The investigation was divided into four parts: 1) obtain and review available reports, investigations, and data previously submitted to the owner pertaining to the dam and appurtenant structures; 2) perform a visual inspection of the site; 3) evaluate the status of an emergency action plan for the site and; 4) prepare and submit a final report presenting the evaluation of the structure, including recommendations and remedial actions, and opinion of probable costs.
The inspection was completed in April of 2015.
