News on Lake Solitude Dam

[rossk]

N.J. dam restoration bill signed into law<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

Monday, 04 May 2009 18:18
BY TOM HESTER
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Legislation that would fund a pair of dam restoration projects was signed into law Monday by Gov. Jon Corzine.

Under the law, $7 million will be appropriated from the state Dam Restoration and Clean Water Trust Fund to restore the Lake Solitude Dam in High Bridge, Hunterdon County and the Point View Reservoir Dam in Passaic County.

“This legislation will allow us to fund the restoration of two important dams without placing a greater burden on taxpayers,” said Sen. Marcia Karrow (R-Hunterdon), a prime sponsor. “Every penny will come from loan repayments of expenses for previous projects funded through the Trust Fund.”

The dam restoration fund was created as part of the Green Acres, Clean Water, Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 1992. The fund was appropriated $15 million in bond revenues for dam restoration projects. Appropriations from the fund in 1997 provided $14,778,000 of the $15 million available to loans for 14 dam projects. The $7 million appropriated through the bill signed by the governor comes from repayments made on the loans that were awarded to the previous projects.

“Our dam restoration program demonstrates how a responsible loan program can use limited funds to finance a long-term series of projects,” Karrow said.

According to Preservation New Jersey, Lake Solitude Dam is one of the 10 most endangered historic sites in New Jersey. The dam, built in 1909 is the last known remaining example of an I-beam dam in the state. The dam project will receive $5.6 million under the legislation.

The Point View Reservoir is the largest of the Passaic Valley Water Commission’s four reservoirs, and contains 1 billion gallons of drinking water. Under the legislation, $1.3 million will be appropriated.

Copyright © 2009 newjerseynewsroom.com

 

[tompg]

Is this good news or bad? It's not a removal and I assume they're not going to make a new tail water. I guess it's too bad that it won't rot and fall apart.

 

[AKSkim]

Is this good news or bad?

just RossK sorry attempt to take a pot shot at TU

 

[Agust]

Before High bridge took ownership of the dam, TU was working with the previous owner to negotiate a removal. At that time breach would have cost between 500-750K, while repair was estimated at 1.5-2.5 Million dollars.

Since then High Bridge has wavered between fix or breach, with a very vocal group of locals trying to save the dam. The town in the meantime has run into some pretty hard financial hardships, including being forced to pay an addition 1.4 Million to the previous dam owner.

The town is broke and cannot afford to do anything. They had a sucker, I mean a business that wanted to generate electricity from the dam and offered to pay to repair, but so far no movement. (I suspect if they do their due diligence they will try and get out of it.)

This is a loan to repair the dam. that means repaying it, and the tax burden in High Bridge is already pretty steep. (They also owe several million for another land swindle, uh I mean deal, gone bad.)

TU and the South Branch watershed association has offered to help secure grants and aide if they want to breach. If they choose to repair they can pay for it themselves. TU will work to ensure that any plan for repair also addresses the thermal pollution caused by the existing dam. Everyone except the folks who want to "save" the dam recognizes breach will cost about 30% of repair, but the fact is it is the owners choice which route to take.

The Lake Solitude dam is the largest single source of thermal pollution on the river. If breached it could create another 9 miles of Trout Maintenance water in the South Branch. (Until the next dam in Clinton.) I have personally measured temperature increases of 15 degrees from the river entering the lake and the water flowing over the top. Average depth of the lake is under 2 feet, the dam is over 30 feet high.

I wish them luck, and pity the poor taxpayer of HIgh Bridge if the town decides to repair.

Agust

 

[Rusty Spinner]

To add to Agust's comments, TU is working closely with NOAA who has an interest in the Raritan and Musconetcong Rivers for diadromous fish passage. There is at least a chance that if the Lake Solitude Dam is rehabilitated (the correct DEP Dam Safety and Flood Control word for dam repair), a fish ladder would need to be added. Current costs for a fish ladder are $80,000 per foot of rise. I'm not an expert on this dam, although I believe it near 30 feet high. That would add another $2.4 million to the dam's rehabilitation. If you currently live in High Bridge you might want to start finding a real estate broker...

But the good news for townspeople is that they can generate nearly $50,000 - $75,000 in hydro power per year. With the dam rehabilitation, fish ladder, hydro power equipment, FERC License and engineering costs, that will pay for itself when Hell freezes over....and not one day sooner!

 

[tompg]

I think it's time for the Monkey Wrench Gang to visit our dammed waterways.

 

[rossk]

just RossK sorry attempt to take a pot shot at TU

?????????

I don't get it.

 

[quality time]

Here's a link to a story on NJ.com posted today....at their meeting last Thursday, the town council started the process to schedule the dam repairs. Evidently they believe it's only the earthen embankment on either side of the dam they believe is effected. No mention of fish ladders or anything else. Should be interesting to see if they get a dose of reality soon...

High Bridge ready to fix Lake Solitude dam - NJ.com

 

[Stonefly]

One of the problems on the dam, is that trees have been growing in the earthen dam sections for years. When the old private owner started to cut the trees out of concern that they were weaking the dam, the town fined him!