21st Century Dam Design

Advances and Adaptations

31st Annual USSD Conference

San Diego, California, April 11-15, 2011

Hosted by
Black & Veatch Corporation
GEI Consultants, Inc.
Kleinfelder, Inc.
MWH Americas, Inc.
Parsons Water and Infrastructure Inc.
URS Corporation

On the Cover
Artist's rendition of San Vicente Dam after completion of the dam raise project to increase local storage and provide
a more flexible conveyance system for use during emergencies such as earthquakes that could curtail the regions
imported water supplies. The existing 220-foot-high dam, owned by the City of San Diego, will be raised by 117
feet to increase reservoir storage capacity by 152,000 acre-feet. The project will be the tallest dam raise in the
United States and tallest roller compacted concrete dam raise in the world.

U.S. Society on Dams

Vision
To be the nation's leading organization of professionals dedicated to advancing the role of dams
for the benefit of society.
Mission USSD is dedicated to:
Advancing the knowledge of dam engineering, construction, planning, operation,
performance, rehabilitation, decommissioning, maintenance, security and safety;
Fostering dam technology for socially, environmentally and financially sustainable water
resources systems;
Providing public awareness of the role of dams in the management of the nation's water
resources;
Enhancing practices to meet current and future challenges on dams; and
Representing the United States as an active member of the International Commission on
Large Dams (ICOLD).

The information contained in this publication regarding commercial projects or firms may not be used for
advertising or promotional purposes and may not be construed as an endorsement of any product or
from by the United States Society on Dams. USSD accepts no responsibility for the statements made
or the opinions expressed in this publication.
Copyright 2011 U.S. Society on Dams
Printed in the United States of America
Library of Congress Control Number: 2011924673
ISBN 978-1-884575-52-5
U.S. Society on Dams
1616 Seventeenth Street, #483
Denver, CO 80202
Telephone: 303-628-5430
Fax: 303-628-5431
E-mail: stephens@ussdams.org
Internet: www.ussdams.org

EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND REHABILITATION OF SPILLWAY DAMAGE

CAUSED BY A MOTHERS DAY STORM
Stephen L. Whiteside, P.E.1
Tyler C. Dunn, P.E.2
Aaron J. Rubin, E. I. T.3
Richard Dawe4
ABSTRACT
During Mothers Day weekend in 2006, a 100-year, 48-hour storm dropped more than 11
inches of rain in some regions of Massachusetts, including Walden Pond located in
Saugus and Lynn. The west end of the pond in Saugus is impounded by the Walden Pond
Outlet Dam, an earthen embankment with a concrete core wall, that is classified as a
large, high-hazard potential dam. During the storm, flow into the spillway rose rapidly to
a maximum depth of 1.5 feet above the spillway crest which resulted in erosion and
damage to the downstream discharge channel. An emergency watch was organized to
monitor the erosion occurring at the left training wall and an evacuation plan was
established. A Phase I inspection of the dam, performed by CDM in August 2006,
concluded that the overall condition of the dam was poor due to the damage and erosion
of the spillway. The Massachusetts Office of Dam Safety (ODS) reviewed the Phase I
report and ordered the dam owner to perform a Phase II investigation of the dam. The
Phase II inspection/investigation prepared by CDM in 2008 evaluated the spillway
capacity and embankment slope stability, and provided conceptual remediation options to
bring the dam into compliance. CDM prepared the final design contract documents for
rehabilitation of the spillway and construction was performed between August and
December 2009. This paper will present the extent of the storms damage, emergency
response, and the constructed design features to ensure repeat storm damage does not
occur.
INTRODUCTION
The water supply system of the city of Lynn, Massachusetts was established in 1870
when Breeds Pond was purchased as the first source of water supply. Birch Pond was
added as a source to the system during 1873 when Beaver Brook was dammed to help
supply water to Lynn. Walden Pond was created in 1890 by constructing a dam across
Penny Brook and combining it with Glen Lewis Pond. Walden Pond is part of a series of
interconnected reservoirs that provide the local water supply to Lynn. Construction of
Hawkes Pond Dam was completed during 1895 creating Hawkes Pond reservoir. The
1

Vice President, CDM, 5400 Glenwood Avenue Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27612
whitesidesl@cdm.com
2
Senior Geotechnical Engineer, CDM, 50 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
dunntc@cdm.com
3
Geotechnical Engineer, CDM, 50 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
rubinaj@cdm.com
4
Superintendent, Lynn Water & Sewer Commission, 390 Parkland Avenue, Lynn, MA 01905
rdawe@lynnwatersewer.org

Emergency Response and Rehabilitation

811

Saugus River diversion conduit was completed in 1898, connecting the Saugus River to
Hawkes Pond. During 1918, the connection between the Ipswich River and Lynns
reservoir system was established, completing the existing water supply system.
The interconnected reservoirs include Breeds Pond, Birch Pond, Walden Pond, and
Hawkes Pond. The series of four interconnected reservoirs, primarily supplied by the
Saugus and Ipswich rivers, provide about 11
million gallons of water per day to Lynn.
Lynn Water and Sewer Commission (LWSC)
manages the water system and maintains the
dams and dikes that impound the reservoirs.
At capacity, the water system holds about 4.2
billion gallons of water.
WALDEN POND OUTLET DAM
The Walden Pond Outlet Dam (NID
MA00246) is located in the town of Saugus,
Massachusetts. Walden Pond is located just
east of Route 1 and west of Route 107 and is
situated within the middle portion of Lynn
Woods Reservation, a municipal forest public
park. Walden Pond has a capacity of about 1.9
million gallons and a water depth of 39.3 feet.
The impoundment system includes the large
Figure 1. Location of Walden Pond
Outlet Dam at the west end of the pond and
the significantly smaller East End Dam
located at the extreme eastern limit of the pond in Lynn. The watershed draining into
Walden Pond is shown on Figure 1. The watershed drainage area is 1.62 square miles,
including the reservoir normal pool (spillway crest) area of 233 acres that represents
approximately 22 percent of the watershed area.

Figure 2. Walden Pond Outlet Dam Aerial

812

21st Century Dam Design Advances and Adaptations

Walden Pond Outlet Dam is a 2,190-foot-long earthen embankment with a concrete core
wall and sheeting extending below the core wall. An aerial view of the dam is shown on
Figure 2. It was built in 1890 and raised in 1905 when the East End Dam was
constructed. The embankment is continuous, but is configured as three straight sections
with two bends. The bend at the left portion of the embankment forms an obtuse angle of
about 135 degrees facing upstream. The bend at the right portion of the embankment
forms a similar obtuse angle of 135 degrees facing downstream. The embankment crest is
about 45 feet wide and the entire surface, up to the spillway, is covered with crushed
stone over a geotextile fabric. The crest is used as a vehicle access road by LWSC. The
upstream slope of the embankment has a
2H:1V slope and is protected by placed stone
riprap. The downstream slope has a
1.75H:1V slope and is covered with grass
and brush vegetation. Gabion drainage
blankets are placed at three locations near the
lower portion of the downstream slope for
seepage control (Figure 3). The spillway is
located at the extreme right end of the
embankment and discharges into a 250-footlong curved discharge channel running along
the downstream toe of the embankment. The
dams spillway is a broad-crested ungated
Figure 3. Downstream Slope
weir, with a crest elevation approximately
four feet below the crest of the dam. The
discharge channel was covered with riprap over bedrock and naturally deposited soils.
The left side of the discharge channel transitions from a stone masonry training wall to a
line of large boulders and bedrock outcrops at the toe of the downstream slope of the
embankment. The right side of the discharge channel is excavated into natural soils,
boulders and bedrock. Water flow through the spillway discharges into some wetland
areas beyond the toe of the embankment that link to Hawkes Brook and then to the
Saugus River.
Walden Pond Outlet Dam has a maximum structural height of 43.3 feet and a maximum
storage capacity of 6,900 acre-feet. The Outlet Dam is classified as a large size structure
and a high-hazard potential dam in accordance with Office of Dam Safety classification,
under Commonwealth of Massachusetts dam safety rules and regulations stated in 302
CMR 10.00 as amended by Chapter 330 of the Acts of 2002. The area downstream of the
dam is developed with local neighborhood streets, residential homes, commercial
businesses, and the well-traveled Route 1. A dam inspection sketch is shown on Figure 4.
In accordance with the dam safety regulations, the spillway design flood (SDF) for the
Walden Pond Outlet Dam is the Probable Maximum Flood ( PMF). The SDF inflow
for this event is 4,900 cubic feet per second (cfs), and the corresponding routed SDF
outflow is 458 cfs. The spillway capacity with a water surface at the dam crest is 960 cfs,
or 210 percent of the routed SDF outflow. The existing spillway has adequate capacity to
pass the SDF.

Emergency Response and Rehabilitation

813

A concrete intake structure (former gatehouse) is located about 95 feet from the upstream
crest of the dam. The former superstructure was removed as part of the recent
rehabilitation work in 1996. Access to the gate house is currently only possible by boat,
since the former footbridge connected to the crest has been removed. The intake structure
has four multilevel intake screens. Two 36-inch-diameter water supply intake pipes
originate at the intake structure. On the downstream side, both lines reduce to single
30-inch-diameter pipes that begin the transmission system that controls the discharge to

Figure 4. Inspection Field Sketch

814

21st Century Dam Design Advances and Adaptations

Birch Pond. One of the 36-inch pipes also functions as a blow-off line that can discharge
to a tributary to Hawkes Brook via a 24-inch-diameter low-level outlet from a tee off the
36-inch pipe.
STORM EVENT
Early spring 2006 in Massachusetts
was exceptionally dry. The month of
March 2006 was the second driest on
record and precipitation in April was
only 50 percent of normal. Brush fire
danger had been running high until
the Mothers Day weekend. Mother's
Day weekend 2006 was a time when
all that changed in northeast
Massachusetts and south central
New Hampshire. Relentless rains
began Friday evening and lasted
Figure 5. Route 1 in Saugus, MA
through Monday morning. The 100hour rain event was driven by a
stationary area of low pressure south of Boston that tapped into deep tropical moisture
over the Atlantic Ocean. Storm totals close to 12 inches were recorded at many locations
in Essex County. This rainfall caused most rivers in northeastern Massachusetts to reach
record-high and near-record-high flows. Rivers flowed over bridges, into streets and
filled basements forcing road closures and emergency evacuations. Dams were
overtopped in some communities. In Ipswich, two of the three downtown bridges were
weakened by the normally tranquil Ipswich River, leaving only one bridge to traverse
town.
Route 1, a major conduit to Boston and Logan Airport, was closed for several days due to
significant rise of the Saugus River. Serious flooding also occurred along the Merrimack
River as docks from marinas and other water-born debris piled up at the mouth of the
river. Although this rainstorm
occurred after 3 dry months preceding
May, 3 to 6 inches of rain had already
fallen in early May, setting the stage
for serious flooding.

Figure 6. Saugus River Overflow at

Elm Street Bridge
Emergency Response and Rehabilitation

The major storm actually started on

Friday, May 12 and ended into the
week ending during the morning hours
of Wednesday, May 17th. The storm
dumped up to a foot of rain in many
areas in northeastern Massachusetts
and southern New Hampshire (Figure
6). Adding to the problem were over-

815

flowing rivers and the prediction of more rain over the next week.
The Mother's Day storm contributed to historic rainfall totals for the month of May and
stream flows for the record books. The governor of Massachusetts declared a state of
emergency. The governor described the flooding as "almost Biblical" and said "We're
sort of making jokes about Noah and taking two of each kind of animal because we
haven't ever seen rain like this. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
toured the state and a federal disaster was declared on May 25, 2006 with later
amendments, ensuring financial relief for the counties of Essex, Middlesex, and Suffolk
(Figure 7).

Figure 7. FEMA Disaster Declaration

According to U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) flow measurements, the Merrimac River

in Lowell was at its highest flood stage since the hurricane of 1938 and the third highest
ever measured. Over a 2-day period in Saugus, 5.5 inches fell on May 13 and 5.8 inches
fell on May 14, for a total of 11.3 inches. This storm was categorized a 100-year 48-hour
storm. The National Weather Service predicted an additional 1 to 6 inches by
Wednesday, pushing rain totals near records set in 1936 and 1938. About 17 inches of
rain fell in the month of May which was indicative of the wettest month on record for
some Massachusetts locations (Figure 8).

816

21st Century Dam Design Advances and Adaptations

Figure 8. Storm Depth Duration Curve

EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND SUMMARY OF EVENTS
On Sunday, May 14, 2006, LWSC personnel noted the reservoir level in Walden Pond
began to overtop the spillway at Walden Pond Outlet Dam. The spillway appeared to be
functioning as intended with no obvious significant signs of erosion (Figures 9 and 10).

Figure 9. Approach Spillway

Figure 10. Spillway Weir

Early in the morning on Monday, May 15, LWSC personnel responded to a call from the
town of Saugus and observed that the spillway channel at Walden Pond Dam began to

Emergency Response and Rehabilitation

817

show signs of significant erosion. The erosion was occurring near the center of the
spillway and was encroaching toward the left training wall and the toe of the dam. Upon

Figure 11. Discharge Channel to Wetland

Figure 12. Left Training Wall

observing these conditions, LWSC, acting through the Massachusetts Emergency

Management Agency (MEMA), notified the Office of Dam Safety.
Later that morning, a meeting was organized at the dam, attended by CDM,
representatives of LWSC, a consultant representing the ODS, and several officials from
the town of Saugus including the fire chief and the director of Saugus Emergency
Management Agency. The representatives remained at the site during the day and into the
evening. Observations made and the sequence of events that occurred are described
below.
The elevated reservoir level led to high flows
through the spillway, resulting in erosion in
the downstream channel that was
progressively moving towards the left training
wall and the toe of the dam (Figures 11 and
12). The height of the flow over the spillway
was about 1.5 feet at about 2:00 PM.
Since the erosion was progressively moving
towards the left training wall, it was
determined by ODS and CDM that there was
the possibility that it could be undermined and
Figure 13. Preparation for Washout
possibly be washed out. Without the training
wall, flow through the spillway could erode
the dams embankment soils and possibly result in failure of the dam. Based on this
potential condition, it was agreed that an emergency condition existed and appropriate
actions were necessary.

818

21st Century Dam Design Advances and Adaptations

As recommended by ODS and CDM, LWSC mobilized a contractor with a tracked

excavator and several 3- to 5foot-diameter boulders to the dam to be able to quickly
replace the training wall if it were washed out (Figure 13). LWSC personnel and the
contractor remained onsite overnight to monitor the condition of the spillway, prepared to
perform emergency repairs if needed.
An emergency action plan was in early stages of development, but had not been
completed prior to the storm event.
Therefore, an evacuation plan needed to
be developed. Saugus officials mobilized
an emergency command center at the
dam, developed a notification plan for the
downstream residents and established a
communication chain to be used if an
emergency situation developed. ODS
contacted the U. S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) who provided the
estimated downstream flood elevation if
the dam were to fail. The ODS
consultant recommended that the lowFigure 14. Undermining of Left Training Wall
level outlet be opened. The ODS
consultant roughly identified the inundation area using available topographic plans and
the flood elevation provided by the USACE. The inundation map plan was given to a
representative of the Saugus Emergency Management Agency to be used in their
emergency response planning efforts.
Full-time monitoring of the spillway continued through the night of May 16 and then on a
part-time basis through May 18. By 11:00 AM on May 18, the flow in the spillway
dropped to about 4 inches over the spillway crest.
Since the flow in the spillway channel had subsided, a partial view of the left training
wall was possible (Figure 14). The downstream portion of the left training wall appeared
to be founded on soil over bedrock and therefore remained susceptible to erosion.
A second meeting was held at the dam on May 18. That meeting was attended by CDM,
representatives of LWSC, the consultant and director of the ODS, chief of the Saugus
Fire Department, and a representative of the Massachusetts Highway Department
(MassHighway). ODS directed the low-level outlet be kept open until the flow through
the spillway stopped because the left training wall was founded on soils that remained
susceptible to erosion.
LWSC had been in daily contact with ODS since May 15 and was authorized to throttle
back the low-level outlet starting on Saturday, May 20. LWSC had also pumped
approximately 20 million gallons per day from Walden Pond to Breeds Pond between
Saturday, May 20 and Monday, May 22. On May 23, a site visit was performed by CDM
and LWSC personnel to assess the condition of spillway. Upon arrival to the dam, the
reservoir level was 15 inches below the crest of the spillway and the low-level outlet was
approximately half closed.
Emergency Response and Rehabilitation

819

DESCRIPTION OF SPILLWAY CONDITION FOLLOWING THE STORM

A preliminary assessment of the spillway and portions of the dam was made by CDM
engineers during the May 23 site visit. Since the flow through the spillway had stopped,
CDM engineers were able to enter the downstream spillway channel and make the
following observations:
The riprap in the downstream channel had been eroded and scoured. The riprap had been
removed down to bedrock within the upper 40 feet of the downstream channel. The
depth of the erosion ranged from about 1 foot near the spillway crest to about 4 feet at a
distance of about 40 feet downstream of the crest.
The material within the downstream spillway channel appeared to consist of about a 1foot-thick layer of 6- to 8inch-diameter
riprap. This layer was over 1 to 2 feet of
a riprap/fill soil matrix over naturally
deposited glacial till soils and then
bedrock. The bedrock surface near the
left training wall was sloping steeply
downstream and slightly towards the left
training wall. The sloping of the bedrock
appeared to have directed the flow in the
spillway towards the left training wall,
and was a contributing factor in the
erosion of the spillway channel.
Figure 15. Two Feet of Erosion in
Discharge Channel
The downstream side of the spillway had a
mortared stone training wall on the left side
and an excavated soil/boulder lined slope
along the right side (Figure 17). A few of
the top cap stones of the left training wall
appeared to be slightly dislodged and moved
slightly outward towards the spillway
channel.
The riprap material at the base of the left
training wall in the downstream channel had
Figure 16. Undermined Segment of Left
been completely removed to an approximate
distance of about 40 feet from the spillway
Training Wall
crest. The first 25 feet of the wall beginning
at the spillway crest appeared to be founded on bedrock (Figure 17). The remaining 15
feet of the wall appeared to be founded on naturally deposited glacial till soil that ranged
in thickness from a few inches to about 1.5 feet.

820

21st Century Dam Design Advances and Adaptations

A 2-foot-long section of the downstream left training wall had been undermined. The
undermined section was up to 7 inches in height and extended about 25 inches inward
beneath the lowest stone course of the wall.
The riprap within the spillway channel
had been transported a significant distance
down the channel and into the wetland
area at the toe of the dam.
The toe of the dam below the training wall
had little protection against erosion or
scour. However, no significant erosion
was observed below the left training wall
along the toe of the dam.
The concrete weir at the crest of the
spillway appeared to be intact and did not
appear to have been damaged. The
Figure 17. Post-Storm View of Erosion of
approach area of the spillway contained
Discharge Channel
some brush and debris. The upstream
training wall consisted of mortared stone and appeared to be in relatively good condition.
Phase I Inspection and Phase II Investigation
A Phase I inspection was performed in August 2006 following an order by ODS.
Following review of that inspection report by ODS, an order to conduct a Phase II
Investigation was issued to LWSC by ODS in accordance with the Certificate of
Non-Compliance and Dam Safety Order, dated mid-November 2007. The basis for the
order was developed as a result of the observations during the August 2006 Phase I
inspection, and reported in the Phase I Inspection Report for Walden Pond Outlet Dam
and East End Dam performed by CDM. Although most of the dam components of the
Outlet Dam were judged to be in fair condition, the overall condition of the dam was
rated as poor based on the severe erosion in front of the left training wall and on the
discharge channel of the spillway that had occurred during flooding events.
CDM was retained by the LWSC to perform the engineering services required to comply
with the order. CDM submitted a 6-month follow-up inspection report as required by the
Order. CDM also completed the updated detailed Phase I inspection in June 2008
required for the Phase II Investigation. These inspections found the condition of the dam
to be substantially unchanged compared to that reported in the August 2006 Phase I
inspection report. To evaluate the dam and develop concept designs, the Phase II
investigation also included wetland delineation and a topographic survey, review of
required permits for construction, a subsurface investigation program, slope stability and
seepage analyses, and hydrologic and hydraulic analyses for the spillway.
CDM performed the Phase II investigation and developed design concept details for
repair of the spillway. In summary, the existing left and right stone masonry training
walls of the approach channel were to be restored as required up to a point just

Emergency Response and Rehabilitation

821

downstream of the existing weir. The remainder of the existing left stone masonry
training wall downstream of the weir was to be removed and replaced with a new
structural concrete cantilever retaining wall. The new retaining wall matched the similar
alignment of the existing wall, but extended a further distance down the left side of the
discharge channel. The existing discharge channel riprap floor downstream of the
existing weir was replaced with structural concrete for a short distance. The discharge
channel downstream of the concrete floor was
constructed of grouted riprap. The toe of the
downstream slope of the dam beyond the end of
the new left training wall was faced with grouted
riprap, to protect the toe from potential erosion.
The right side of the discharge channel was sloped
and protected with grouted riprap.
As part of the Phase II work, CDM performed a
subsurface investigation and performed seepage
and stability analyses for the existing embankment
Figure 18. Subsurface Investigation
in accordance with the requirements in 302 CMR
10.00 (Figures 18 and 19). Based on these analyses and the steepness of the downstream
slope, the existing downstream slope did not meet the minimum factor of safety for
normal pool and maximum pool steady-state conditions. However, the critical failure
surfaces were shallow and restricted by the core wall in the dam. Additional stability
analyses were performed to evaluate the potential impact of a shallow slope failure on the
overall stability of the dam. The results of the analyses indicated that a shallow failure in

Figure 19. Stability Analysis Results

822

21st Century Dam Design Advances and Adaptations

the downstream slope should not impact the overall stability of the dam. CDM
recommended that a formal periodic monitoring and inspection program be established to
monitor phreatic surface levels and make periodic visual observations of the dam. If
shallow failures were to occur, they could be detected and repaired. There have been no
signs of slope stability problems, and the piezometer levels indicate that the concrete core
wall is effective in reducing seepage.
DESIGN IMPLEMENTATION TO ACHIEVE COMPLIANCE
CDM designed the recommended repairs and rehabilitation of the spillway. Application
for the required permit under MGL Chapter 253 and the Dam Safety Regulations (302
CMR 10.00) was submitted to the ODS in February 2009. The permit application
included a final design report and the construction drawings and specifications. The
proposed repairs were intended to bring the dam into compliance with the Dam Safety
Order and improve the overall rating of the dam. The existing spillway was intended to
be repaired to generally replicate the look and dimensions of the structure as it existed
prior to being damaged by the May 2006 flood, but would be strengthened to reduce the
potential for a future recurrence of the damage (Figures 20 through 22).

Figure 20. Contract Drawing of Plan for Repairs

Emergency Response and Rehabilitation

823

Figure 21. One Design Section of Spillway

Figure 22. Typical Detail of Spillway Design Features

Inspection of the existing spillway structure and discharge channel by CDM structural
and geotechnical engineers established that the spillway is constructed and founded on a
sound, solid bedrock outcrop, and that this rock lies close to the surface of much of the
discharge channel.

824

21st Century Dam Design Advances and Adaptations

The spillway was strengthened against being damaged again in the future by adding a
reinforced concrete training wall to the embankment (left) side of the channel and a
grouted riprap slope to the right side of the discharge channel (Figure 23). Repairs to the
discharge channel also included design of a structural concrete slab as an extended weir
anchored into the bedrock, and grouted riprap floor with natural boulders as energy
dissipaters partially embedded in the lower portion of the channel.

Figure 23. Design Profile of Spillway and Discharge Channel

The hydrologic and hydraulic calculations used to determine the spillway design flood
discharge, spillway capacity, SDF freeboard, and wave action demonstrated that the
spillway geometry provides an adequate outlet capacity for the dam. The design included
a wave analysis showing that the stillwater freeboard during the spillway design flood
(SDF) will be 1.1 feet for a starting reservoir level at the normal (spillway crest, El. 90.9
feet) pool level. Waves for 50- and 100-year wind speeds are predicted to be above the
embankment crest elevation for the peak SDF reservoir level. However, due to the
45-foot-wide crest, the waves are not expected to impact the stability of the dam. Also,
since the operating policy for the reservoir is to maintain a maximum reservoir level not
less than 1 foot below the spillway crest, the available freeboard would be greater. The
reservoir would not need to be drained to construct the proposed spillway.
REHABILITATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF SPILLWAY
Bidding
Following the advertisement for bids, eight bids were received at LWSC. The bids ranged
from a low bid of about $507,000 to a high bid of $700,500. CDMs construction cost
estimate for the project was $675,000.
The three lowest bids were reviewed and evaluated by LWSC. Those bids were
$574,773, $553,246, and $507,068. The lowest responsible and eligible bidder submitting
the bid of $507,068 was awarded the contract following CDMs recommendation. The
final construction cost was the same as the bid.

Emergency Response and Rehabilitation

825

Construction Schedule
A summary of the key dates that were met to implement the construction are presented
below. Construction photographs are shown on Figures 24 through 36.
Submit permit application to ODS
Submit Notice of Intent to Saugus Conservation Commission
SCC Board issued order of conditions
Obtain dam safety permit
Advertise for bids
Open bids
Start construction
Complete construction

Figure 24. Installation of Soldier Piles

(8/27/09)

February 2009
February 2009
March 2009
April 2009
June 2009
June 2009
August 2009
December 2009

Figure 25. Support of Excavation for

Training Wall (9/9/09)

Figure 26. Concrete Fill Subgrade for

Training Wall (9/11/09)

826

21st Century Dam Design Advances and Adaptations

Figure 27. Forms for Spillway

Training Wall (9/22/09)

Figure 28. Concrete Spillway Training

Wall (9/29/09)

Figure 30. End of Grouted Riprap

Discharge Channel (10/6/09)

Figure 29. Placement of Grout (10/1/09)

Figure 31. Construction of Right Approach

Training Wall (10/27/09)
Emergency Response and Rehabilitation

827

Figure 32. Overview of Discharge Channel

(11/3/09)

Figure 33. New Concrete Spillway Weir

(12/10/09)

THE PROJECT BEGINNING TO END

Figure 34. Mothers Day 2006

Figure 35. Damage After Storm

Figure 36. The End Result

828

21st Century Dam Design Advances and Adaptations

SPILLWAY PERFORMANCE
The completed spillway was provided the opportunity for a test run at the beginning of
April 2010 following heavy rainfall in March. Two 50-year storms struck the New
England region in the middle and end of the month with record amounts of rainfall,
causing flooding, evacuations and much damage. Massachusetts and two other states
declared state emergencies. FEMA again declared a federal disaster for severe rain and
flooding 4 years after the 2006 Mothers Day event. Rainfall amounts of about 10 inches
and 6 inches for the respective storms occurred within 30 miles of the Massachusetts
coast. The rain abated at the end of March but rivers continued to rise.
As some of the Lynn reservoirs reached beyond capacity near the end of March, rising
water at Walden Pond began to flow through the spillway on March 31. CDM visited the
site on Thursday April 1 and photographed the flow when the water level was 3.4 inches
above the weir crest. A few of the photographs showing the flow event are presented on
Figure 37.

Figure 37. Flow through Spillway

Emergency Response and Rehabilitation

829

CONCLUSIONS
This project demonstrated the success of responses to a significant storm event to
mitigate the potential breaching of a dam. Although the intensity of the Mothers Day
2006 storm resulted in discharge flows that caused serious erosion and damage to the
spillway, the result of the response action by the dam owner in concert with emergency
response officials and representatives of the state dam safety regulatory agency allowed
assessment of the dam safety conditions and appropriate emergency response decisions to
be made quickly. Subsequent observations and inspections of the damaged spillway and
the dam embankment resulted in the rehabilitation design and construction to bring the
dam into compliance with the required regulations.
REFERENCES
Information describing the storm was summarized from various web-based links to news
agencies such as Boston.com (Boston Globe), WBZ TV, USA Today, the Lynn Journal,
and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Selected photographs
displaying the flooding were selected from reader-contributed photographs presented in
web-based links Boston.com and Saugus.net.

830

21st Century Dam Design Advances and Adaptations