The Leader-Herald
JOHNSTOWN - The state Department of Environmental Conservation found erosion and seepage at the city's Cork Center Reservoir Dam during an inspection last month, but it called for no immediate action.
The city Water Board recently discussed the April 17 inspection by Albany-based DEC environmental engineer Peter J. Connery on the city's dam property in the town of Johnstown. He issued a report to board President Nicholas Cannizzo.
"There's nothing we can do on that [at this time]," Cannizzo said.
Connery's report highlighted six main "observations" at Cork Center.
"The dam's upstream slope is showing evidence of wave erosion," the DEC report states. "You should monitor the erosion's progression and consider repair and/or armoring if needed."
The report also found "sloughing," or embankment movement, at the dam's downstream area.
"This area should be monitored and, if additional movement takes place, an engineering study should be undertaken to determine the cause and possible corrective actions," Connery wrote.
His inspection also revealed there is "undesirable growth," such as saplings and trees, on the service spillway's right and left downstream training walls. The report said DEC generally recommends a "well-mowed, erosion-resistant cover" such as grass for earth embankments.
"Larger trees and all root balls should also be removed, but under the guidance of a professional engineer, and may require a dam safety permit," the report said.
Other observations contained in the report related to seepage downstream at the dam, and the bottom 30 feet of the downstream embankment being wet and the ground soft.
"Water was observed exiting the inside of the service spillway's left downstream training wall," the report said. "This is a possible indication that water is flowing under the service spillway chute's floor slab. Additionally, it appears that there was a height difference in some adjacent floor slabs, which may be an indication of uneven settlement."
City Water Department Senior Plant Operator Michael Hlozansky said most of the inspection involved monitoring.
In the report, the DEC said the Water Board must submit an engineering assessment by Aug. 19. It must be updated every 10 years.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com.