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Board hears proposal to study Mamaroneck Reservoir dam after DEC flags deficiencies
Summary
Following a DEC inspection that identified spillway and structural deficiencies, trustees heard a proposal to retain Ramboll for a detailed engineering study — including surveys, hydraulic analysis and an alternatives evaluation — and learned staff had applied for state grant funding and negotiated a price reduction on the proposal.
Trustees heard a presentation on Nov. 12 about the condition of the Mamaroneck Reservoir Dam and a proposal for a professional engineering study to evaluate options ranging from upgrades to decommissioning.
A presenter said the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation inspected the dam earlier this year and issued a notice citing inadequate spill capacity and other structural deficiencies; the DEC required a written response and analysis. The firm Ramboll (via an engineer with prior knowledge of the dam) proposed topographic and hydraulic modeling, an alternatives analysis (including variance requests, an auxiliary spillway, replacement, or decommissioning) and detailed cost estimates to inform the board.
The proposal’s initial cost was presented as roughly $82,000 and later cited around $92,000; the presenter said negotiations produced about a $10,000 reduction. The board was told the DEC had given an extension to the end of the year and that additional extensions into early 2025 are likely if the village retains engineering services and shows progress. Staff also reported applying for competitive state funding the same week in response to a short-notice grant window the DEC circulated.
Why it matters: The DEC’s dam-safety rating and recommended follow-up require technically robust engineering analysis. Trustees emphasized the limited options available to them and the need for accurate cost estimates before committing to any major remediation. The board asked staff to place the item on the agenda for action in two weeks, so a contract could be authorized and work started to meet permit and DEC response timelines.
Next steps: Staff will return with a final contract and schedule; the engineering study’s findings are expected to inform permit filings, grant applications, and a timeline for any construction or decommissioning work.
Representative quote: "They were given a rating of unsound deficiency due to inadequate spill capacity and other structural deficient conditions," the presenter said, summarizing DEC findings.
The board did not authorize a contract at the Nov. 12 work session; trustees directed staff to bring the matter back for the regular meeting and for possible contract approval two weeks later.
