The New York State Canal Corporation (NYSCC) commissioned a comprehensive hydraulic analysis and Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for the Lock E-33 Dam, a high-hazard Class C structure upstream of Edgewood Avenue and a major retail area. Our team conducted a Sunny Day breach analysis, confirming the dam’s classification, and prepared an EAP to guide emergency responders in compliance with NYSDEC’s Part 673 Dam Safety Regulations.
Further investigation assessed the potential for a rainy-day dam breach due to the Erie Canal’s connection with the Genesee River. This study verified that guard gates isolating Lock E-33 Dam from the river could be closed well before a ½ Probable Maximum Flood (PMF), preventing gate overtopping.
Employing advanced 2-D hydraulic modeling techniques, our analysis revealed multiple flow paths of the breach wave that traditional 1-D analysis might overlook. This approach provided a more accurate representation of the flood spread, enhancing the reliability of our findings.
The project culminated in creating detailed dam breach inundation maps, illustrating the depth, velocities, and arrival times of the breach wave at downstream locations. These maps form a crucial component of the EAP, offering vital information for effective emergency response and public safety measures.
