Why did the BLT acquire the dam?
The Belchertown Land Trust (BLT) acquired the dam in 2006 as part of acquiring about 70 acres of land. This land, and the dam, belonged to the Endelson estate and had been abandoned. The purpose of this purchase was to ensure that the long standing industrial contamination on the river was cleaned up and that there was access along the river from Route 181 near National Fiber up to the Cold Spring Road boat launch at Red Bridge. Sections of this trail, which is open for everyone to use, is also owned by the Swift River Sportsmen Club and the state. At the time of the acquisition, the dam was not a known issue or concern. Return to top
What is the state requiring you to do?
As a result of the near-catastrophic failure of a dam in Taunton, the state started looking more critically at the 3,000-plus dams across Massachusetts. They are requiring that we do semi-annual inspections (at about $5,000 each) to ensure the safety of the dam. As a result, the dam has been listed as a significant hazard and in poor condition and they are requiring that we either bring the dam into compliance or remove it. Return to top
What does it mean when the state says it is a significant hazard?
This means that if the dam were to fail, there would be either significant property damage or loss of life downstream from the dam. Return to top
What does it mean when the dam is in poor condition?
According to the office of dam safety, a dam in poor condition means it has "major structural, operational, maintenance and flood routing capability deficiencies." Return to top
When is the state requiring action?
The deadline for compliance has long passed, but the state has granted extensions based on the actions we have been taking so far. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) realizes that the BLT does not have the resources to comply with, repair, or remove the dam. Return to top
What engineering studies have been done?
Four engineering studies have been done to date: one by Tighe & Bond (T&B Report), one by Fay Engineering (Fay Report) and two by Milone & MacBroom (M&M Report # 1 and M&M Report # 2). Return to top
What has been the findings of these studies?
The Tighe & Bond report (T&B Report) and the first Milone & MacBroom report (Report # 1) have determined that the dam is a significant hazard and in poor condition and these findings have been accepted by DCR. The Fay Engineering study attempted to change the rating from poor to fair, but this finding was rejected by the state. The second Milone & MacBroom study was done under contract to the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and supported the findings of the Tighe & Bond reports. This study was done to determine the extent of the impoundment created by the dam, a sediment profile and potential cost estimates for saving and removing the dam. Return to top
What was the purpose of the study done by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC)?
This study was originally proposed to determine the feasibility of removing the dam as part of a river restoration project. However, the BLT was very clear with PVPC that the study should focus on looking at both alternatives: saving or removing the dam. This was done and is reflected in the final report produced by PVPC. Return to top
How much will it cost to save or remove the dam?
Both the Tighe & Bond report and the first Milone & MacBroom report provide estimates to save the dam and remove the dam. The latest study from Milone & MacBroom have an estimate of dam repair of $548,500 and removal estimates of $526,000. These are only estimates and there are certainly a lot of variables that would impact upon the final cost if it were to be put out to bid. In addition to the engineering and construction costs, there would also be an estimated annual inspection and maintenance cost of $6,000. Return to top
Are there sources of money for either removing or saving the dam?
We don't know. The BLT has contracted with PVPC to do a study to try and determine potential sources of money for either alternative. This study will be done in March 2011. Return to top
What impact will removing the dam have on the river?
According to the Milone & MacBroom study, the impoundment created by the dam extends 8,000 feet upstream. This extends to a point that is between the boat launch at Red Bridge and the meadow off of East Street behind the Massachusetts Wildlife office. A map of the impoundment is in the Milone & MacBroom report on page 9. If the dam were removed, the most significant impact would be at the dam where the water level would be lowered and the width of the river would narrow. This impact would be lessened as one moves upstream until it reaches a point where there would be no changes from present conditions. There have not been any studies done to detail what the impact would be.
Have any environmental studies been done that look at the impact of removing the dam?
No. These were not part of any of the engineering studies done to date. Return to top
Has any sediment analysis been done?
Yes. The first Milone & MacBroom study did a sediment analysis. According to the study, there is no sediment immediately upstream of the dam for 40 feet. Beyond that there are varying amounts of sediment ranging from two to four feet until it reaches about 300 feet upstream of the river where there are some sediment depths of four feet. Sampling was done at five locations and a chemical analysis was done. In addition, Milone & MacBroom reviewed sediment analysis that was done by the state in 2004. In both cases, they determined that the samples did not present a risk to human or aquatic life. Return to top
What about the Lower Bondsville Dam?
This is not owned by the Belchertown Land Trust. Return to top
What about the hazardous waste site that the BLT had cleaned up around the dam?
A significant portion of the land that was acquired along with the dam was contaminated through years of industrial activity and railroad traffic and was designated as a Brownfield hazardous waste site. The BLT worked with a number of federal and state agencies and was able to acquire grants to begin study of the extent of contamination on the Belchertown site as well as a one million dollar cleanup on the Palmer side. These projects are very complex and time-consuming, and as a result, some of the land along the river has been restored. The dam issue has diverted the BLT from this mission. Return to top
Why is the dam fenced off?
Unfortunately, the dam has been the site of two fatalities. Prior to the first one, the BLT had recognized that it was a potential danger and had already contracted to have a fence installed at a cost of $10,000. Tragically, before it was in place, a male was walking across the spillway and fell off and drowned in the water below the dam. In the second death, another male climbed over the fence on the Palmer side onto the dam. He was found downstream and had also drowned. Return to top
What would the BLT like to do with the dam?
We are not in the dam-ownership business. We would like to have this issue taken off of our plate so we can focus on our mission of preserving open land. We have attempted to find another appropriate entity that would take ownership (at no payment to us). No one has come forward with a viable offer. Return to top
Have you sought owners?
Yes. There was one party that was interested in acquiring the dam to use for power generation. However, this was contingent upon the state changing the rating from Poor to Fair and the BLT investing money in fixing the dam. Since the state would not change the rating, this was no longer a viable option. Return to top
What about power generation possibilities?
We met with two hydropower companies. One said that in their opinion it is not a feasible site. The other, as indicated in the question above, is no longer interested. Return to top
What has the BLT done on this issue?
There is an extensive timeline here on our web site that details what actions have happened. These have included four engineering studies, a number of public meetings, meetings with town officials, communications with state officials, and studies by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (one completed, one ongoing). Return to top
What is the lawsuit that has been filed?
The Swift River Preservation Association has filed a lawsuit against the BLT asking the court to stop us from demolishing the dam, even though we have not made a decision on a course of action. At this time, the court has not rendered any decision and we are not bound by this lawsuit in terms of taking any action either way on the dam. Return to top
