Dam Inspection, Hopkinton, MA — Milford Water Company

Echo Lake Dam, Hopkinton, MA
Echo Lake Dam, Hopkinton, MA

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.

DEEP Dam Inspections in Connecticut

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Butterworth Dam

Tata & Howard’s Waterbury, CT office completed forty (40) dam inspections and reports for the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) for dams located in the Western District of Connecticut, including fifteen flood control dams. The dams were rated from a hazard classification of ‘C’ to ‘BB’, and were located in urban environments, suburban locations, and rural settings. The construction of the dams varied from earthen embankments to mortared stone masonry to concrete to roller compacted concrete. The spillways varied as well, including ogee spillways, broad crested weirs, intake risers, and a drop inlet structure.

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Bunnells Pond Dam

Each report included a description of the dam, inspection checklists, photographs, a sketch of the dam identifying the major features and showing the photo locations, an aerial photograph and location plan, and recommendations for improvements.

T&H staff also provided the DEEP with a cost estimate for the recommended repairs and maintenance at the 23 non-flood control dams, including contingencies for engineering services, permitting, and construction administration support services.

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