Author Topic: Clean Erie Canal Embankments Reveal More & More Issues  (Read 57 times)

Doug K

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Been awhile since the ECNA put a post up on this Forum Board., but with "new" Safe & Clean Dams along the Erie Canal it's the perfect time for this post.

It's been 100 years since the Embankment along the Erie canal received this much "scrutiny". Had the chance to talk with some Dam Inspectors in Brockport this past week... here's some pictures of what they are doing.



Seems that the recent "unveiling" of these embankments means for the first time, in a long time... the dams can be properly checked. These Dam Inspectors were using Canal Corporation files and re-looking at known leaks to determine how bad they are, and also if the cause is normal leaking that all earthen dams have or some special cause leaking, like a piping issue or change in the Phreatic Line.

Using a long metal probe on a T-shaped handle, they would plunge the rod into the ground and then remove it watching for water to percolate up. They also tried several spots in any given leak area. They also were noting new leaks as well... we have two more now and maybe what would be the 4th on our property. If you think Embankment Dam Rehabilitation is not about safety.. you are wrong. These two Dam Inspectors are glad to be finding the issues and reporting them, and assured us that we are OK for now but they may want to try and seal the leaks.

Here's a natural piping type leak from an old tree...the original leak marked on our property.



A new leak... the ground around it was wet, when it shouldn't be. It was poked a few times and just started bubbling out and filing the Toe Drain.



And proving what we have always heard about WHY grass vegetation on Embankment Dams is preferred... the proverbial "greener" spot



So, before you start throwing stones at the Canal Corporation's efforts to fix their aging earthen dams please remember for some of us it has ALWAYS been about safety of our neighbors, and our communities. It's not whether we like the idea of cleaned off dams... It's that we simply do not like the idea of UNSAFE Dams in our backyards.

Next time you are out walking on the Erie Canal Trailway take a moment to look for the "green tall grass". If there is no wood stake marking it... you should contact the Canal Corp to report the possible leak. Help them out, they are only trying to save our lives & the Erie Canal.
« Last Edit: June 11, 2019, 08:26:55 am by Doug K »

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