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Corps of Engineers completes engineering evaluation of Westville Lake Dam; finds dam can safely be operated

Published Oct. 29, 2013

CONCORD, Mass. As a result of an extensive geotechnical testing and exploration program and in-depth engineering evaluations, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has determined that Westville Lake Dam in Southbridge, Mass., can safely be operated at minimal risk to the public.

 

Westville Lake Dam is located in south-central Massachusetts on the Quinebaug River, 1.3 miles west of the center of the town of Southbridge, and about 18 miles southwest of Worcester, Mass.  The dam provides flood risk mitigation for several communities along the Quinebaug River, including Southbridge and Dudley in Massachusetts and Putnam, Danielson, Jewett City, and Norwich in Connecticut. The dam is part of a network of six dams constructed and maintained by the Corps of Engineers to relieve the effects of flooding along the major rivers of the Thames River Basin.

 

The Corps had been concerned that Westville Lake Dam may have had significant foundation and abutment seepage issues. A multidisciplinary team was assembled to fully evaluate the condition of the dam.  In addition, subsurface explorations were conducted in 2008, 2009 and 2011. Instrumentation also was installed in the foundation to monitor water pressures during pool events. The results of these investigations and studies determined that while there is some seepage passing through the fractured bedrock in the foundation below the dam, the seepage can safely pass through the foundation with minimal risk to the integrity of the embankment.

 

While the studies conducted to date indicate that Westville Lake Dam can be safely operated with minimal risk to the public, the Corps will continue with its robust operations and maintenance program, and engineers will actively monitor the dam during high pool events for signs of distress. 

 

Under normal conditions an 11-foot deep, 23-acre conservation pool is maintained behind the dam. Under full pool conditions during flood events the reservoir has a maximum depth of about 55 feet and a surface area of 913 acres. The drainage area of the reservoir is 99.5 square miles.

 

Construction of the dam started in April 1960 and was completed in August 1962 at a cost $5.7 million. It is an earth and rock fill dam that is 560 feet long and 78 feet high.  Its lake can store an 11,100 acre-foot reservoir, which amounts to 3.6 billion gallons of water. The dam has prevented an estimated $53.7 million in flood damages since it was placed in operation.  The reservoir area offers recreational opportunities, including picnicking, fishing, hunting, canoeing, boating, and nature study and annually attracts more than 55,000 visitors. For more information visit the website at http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/WestvilleLake.aspx.


Contact
Tim Dugan
978-318-8264
cenae-pa@usace.army.mil

Release no. 2013-106