Strengthening Critical Infrastructure in North Collins
The rehabilitation of Clear Lake Dam and Spillway in North Collins, Erie County, New York, was a comprehensive engineering initiative commissioned by the New York State Office of General Services. The 650-foot-long earthen embankment dam, rising between thirty and forty feet in height, required substantial upgrades to comply with NYSDEC Dam Safety Regulations governing high-hazard structures. The project focused on enhancing structural stability, hydraulic performance, and long-term resilience while maintaining the integrity of this critical community asset.
From Evaluation to Engineered Solution
Our team began with a detailed evaluation that included review of prior studies, hydraulic analysis, and thorough on-site inspections. Through breach modeling and close coordination with the NYSDEC Dam Safety Section, we successfully reduced the dam’s hazard classification from Class C to Class B, refining the scope of required improvements while maintaining safety standards. Subsurface investigations provided key data on seepage and slope stability, guiding the development of targeted, performance-based design solutions.
Rehabilitation efforts addressed the dam comprehensively. Improvements included upgrades to the intake structure, low-level outlet, and spillway, along with embankment enhancements such as internal seepage controls, slope flattening, crest widening, pipeline decommissioning, and replacement of erosion protection. Twenty-eight double corrosion protection rock anchors were installed to reinforce the spillway and ensure long-term structural stability.
Throughout construction, our team provided full-time inspection and oversight to maintain quality and regulatory compliance. Completed under budget in mid-2019, the project delivered a safer, more resilient dam that protects downstream communities while extending the service life of this essential piece of public infrastructure.