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Future Challenges
Written by; Gail Shaffer
Advocate for Design Modifications to Further Strengthen the Gilboa Dam
Beginning with Phase I in 2008, through a projected six-year period ending in 2014, New York City will embark on a long-term rehabilitation of Gilboa Dam. This major renovation, at a projected cost of $ 483 million, is expected to extend the life of the dam for another 50 years. DCC continues to be a watchdog for the public safety, and in that role we have proposed several improvements in the design which would strengthen the dam and enhance the capacity for proactive flood mitigation, thereby reducing the risk to lives and property downstream.
DCC has advocated multiple floodgates at the crest of the dam, rather than the single crest gate proposed in NYCDEP’s preliminary design; this would significantly increase the ability to release excess waters during high precipitation and snowmelt events. The frequency and magnitude of major storms has increased dramatically in recent years, a trend which is expected to continue. During the interim repairs undertaken by the City, the creation of the 225 foot Notch in the spillway has proven to be effective in alleviating flood conditions by proactive release of waters downstream. Adding additional floodgates in the spillway would further increase the City’s ability to respond to these events and release more water when needed for public safety.
Advocate for Continuous Downstream Release of 75 CFS
DCC has also called upon the City to commit to a continuous release downstream of 75 cubic feet per second (CFS). With the Low Level Release mechanisms that are being added to the Gilboa Dam in the renovation, there will now be a capacity to provide this minimal flow downstream, restoring some of the ecological vibrance of Schoharie Creek that was so drastically diminished with the construction of the dam. The benefits of such a continuous release (easily accomplished without jeopardizing the city’s water supply needs) would enhance the prime agricultural lands of the valley, restore fishery habitats in the forever-wild stretch below the dam and beyond, and increase recreational use, benefiting the regional economy. This proposal has also been endorsed by the Schoharie County Conservation Association and by the Schoharie County Farm Bureau.
Both the downstream continuous releases from the Low Level Release mechanism, and the multiple floodgates at the spillway crest, would be a win-win solution for the City and for local residents. The City of New York is under strict limitations, in its state SPDES permit, in regard to releases through the Shandaken diversion tunnel, due to turbidity issues. This major diminution of outflow capacity southward makes it even more imperative for the city to incorporate design improvements that will enhance their capacity for northward releases downstream to draw down excess water.
Independent Dam Inspector
There is a critical need for a “boots on the ground” independent dam inspector at the Gilboa Dam work site, for the duration of the long-term renovation project.We need ongoing current facts, rather than rumors, gathered by an experienced person with construction expertise, to apprise the public of progress, and also of any problems encountered during the work.
Sirens for Early Warning of Emergency
Now that the emergency sirens have been installed, Schoharie County emergency management personnel and volunteers have been working with the manufacturer to work on remaining challenges and ensure that the sirens are eventually fully operational. The optimum efficiency of this system remains a critical priority for public safety, and toward that goal DCC continues to be a resource to the county government and emergency network in conveying citizen concerns and problems regarding the sirens.
Long-Range Preventive Maintenance
The crisis at Gilboa Dam is the result of neglecting, over several decades, to maintain this critical infrastructure. The lesson that should be learned from this ordeal is that we defer such maintenance at our peril, and that it is critical to have goals, timetables, and budgeted resources, in place that will ensure ongoing maintenance in the future. Toward that end, DCC will continue to monitor the implementation of the renovation and, beyond that, the commitment by the City to ongoing long-term maintenance in the future, fortified by critical investments outlined in the multi-year NYCDEP budget.
Greater Coordination among the Downstream Counties
The integrity of Gilboa Dam is critical to the entire Schoharie Valley; there is much at stake for Montgomery and Schenectady Counties, as well as Schoharie County. There is a need for much better coordination and communication among these three downstream counties regarding these issues. In addition, there is a need for greater coordination among the counties and local governments throughout the entire Catskill Region watershed, to advance mutual goals in flood mitigation, habitat needs, and other issues.
Watershed Commission
The situation at Gilboa has highlighted the need for a Watershed Commission to address ongoing concerns. Such a commission should include public participation. The value of appointing such a body, which would include representatives of NYSDEC, NYCDEP, County and local governments, scientific and technical experts, and private citizens, has been demonstrated by the tristate Water Releases Task Force created for the Delaware River Basin.
Regulatory Reform
The state government, through the Department of Environmental Conservation, is the public watchdog charged with oversight responsibility for the safety of our state’s dams. There is a critical need to strengthen the DEC’s authority as well as its professional staff in the dam safety division. DEC recently announced upcoming hearings on proposed revisions to regulations pertaining to dam safety; there is a link on our DCC website to information about the hearings. DCC intends to testify in those public hearings, and we urge all interested citizens to participate, and also to share your ideas with DCC for improving regulations, as well as laws, at both the state and federal levels.