low head dam modification info on AW site

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Forum/read/send/21,358/

some interesting articles. Good to see that people are learning more about the benefits of removal, modification, and redesigns of these horrible structures.

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low head dam engineering mission

engineering student project

a movement is starting in the civil engineering world that recognizes how dangerous low head dams are and that they can be redesigned to serve a purpose beyond their original one.

why low head dams must be modified

just some links to site about low head dams. These are drowning machines, that COULD be designed or modified to be safer, actually they could be contructed to act as play spots instead of lethal obstacles. But, we must educate ourselves, and teach the public at large about the potential dangers in their rivers.

www.dnr.state.oh.us/water/dsafety/safeowner.htm

About the Binghamton drowning incident:
Binghamton,NY

Drowning incident video (very scary)
video

www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/lowhead.htm

dam removal paper (pdf)
DAMpdf

this site encourages people to go swimming near some places that have low head dams. How dangerous is that?!?
swimming

www.fish.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/lowhd1.htm
http://www.fish.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/damhaz.htm

"Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams are some of our most precious natural resources and should be enjoyed by all," Gov. Ridge said. "But these man-made dams can at times become killing machines. Until now, there’s been no warning that these dams are hazardous article_here

A great abstract on the subject:
read

scary videos:
video


more

MORE

again

crazy

“Maine
Lawsuit targets contractor in kayaker's death, (AP), 10/12/2005.
Lawsuit contends that a Sept. 20, 2003 drowning at the Sebasticook Lake dam was a result of negligent design, construction and installation of a trash screen installed in 2003. A kayaker became pinned against the grate during the annual drawdown of the lake. No-trespassing signs were posted on the dam, but no signs warned boaters of the open dam. The Cianbro Corp. says it will aggressively defend itself against the allegations.”
From this website: here



http://www.boatertalk.com/forum/BoaterTalk/983205

bleachery dam can be made like this one in Denver

These three photos are of the whitewater park in Denver. The flow was below 200cfs that day and the features are still playable. Not great,but it shows what is possible at low flow.
Note the construction of the whitewater section. It is built into a low-head dam, heading upstream of the dam. The bank has been sculpted from a formerly ugly structure into a nice gathering area. All of this acts as a fish ladder too, allowing fish passage around the low head dam.
Think of New Milford bleachery dam looking like this. The pond height is maintained so things don't change upstream. The features are useable at low water. And, I was told that at medium flows there are three GREAT playwaves. At high spring flows there is one world-class playspot!

This is a mid-city location so there is lots of concrete. New Milford could have minimal concrete and be mostly rock, earth, and grass to reflect the natural beauty of the surrounding area.