LOCAL

Input sought to fix high-hazard Wayne County dams

Peter Becker
Tri-County Independent

Four earthen flood-control dams in rural Berlin Township, Wayne County which were designated as "high hazard" by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are being addressed.

A detailed draft plan listing alternatives for rehabilitation of the dams has been released for public comment through June 30.

Heather L. Smeltz, PE with NRCS, stated that the dams are not in any imminent danger of failure.

Two of the structures are the Garrett Dam (PA-413) on Holbert Creek and Varcoe Dam (PA-415) on Laurella Creek (a tributary of Holbert Creek). The flood protection they provide benefits life and property extending to Indian Orchard near the Route 6 Plaza.

The other two dams are the Finkeday Dam (PA-421) on Indian Orchard Brook, and Martin Dam (PA-419) on an unnamed tributary of Indian Orchard brook. They are on either side of Route 652, both dams being southwest of Beach Lake. The flood protection provided by these dams benefit an area extending to the section where Route 652 meets Route 6 in Indian Orchard.

They were built in 1960 with the exception of Garrett Dam, which was erected in 1970 by NCRS.

The approximate number of people who live, work and/or drive in the breach zone for each dam, is as follows, according to NCRS: Garrett, 152 people; Varcoe, 33; Martin, 85 and Finkleday, 85.

This map shows part of the inundation zone downstream from Martin Dam and Finkleday Dam in Berlin Township, Wayne County along Indian Orchard Creek where it meets with the Lackawaxen River east of the Route 6 Plaza in Indian Orchard, Texas Township. This is for a 100-year flood event. The lightest shade, turquoise, indicates flood depth up to two feet. The deep purple shade anticipates a depth of eight to 12 feet. The large building at center is The Dime Bank's recently opened Indian Orchard Branch, at the former Rusty Palmer store location on Route 6. Route 652 extends to the upper right in the floodplain.
This map shows part of the inundation zone downstream from Garrett Dam and Varcoe Dam in Berlin Township, Wayne County along Holbert Creek where it meets with the Lackawaxen River near the Route 6 Plaza in Texas Township. This is for a 100-year flood event. The lightest shade, turquoise, indicates flood depth up to two feet. The deep purple shade anticipates a depth of eight to 12 feet. At lower left are the Honesdale Walmart store, and The Home Depot below it. The Route 6 Plaza and Route 6 Mall are at lower right on the other side of Route 6.

'High hazard potential'

They were among seven dams built to protect the Lackawaxen Watershed and prevent flooding in the surrounding areas, NRCS reports. Although they have have provided flood protection for over 50 years for lives, property and infrastructure downstream, they each were re-classified as high hazard structures in 2009 due to the potential risk to human life in the inundation area downstream should a dam failure were to occur.

Smeltz said the redesignation was made due to the increase in populations and infrastructure below the dams."The hazard potential is not an indicator of the likelihood of dam failure," Smeltz explained. "It is based only on expected damage and potential loss of life if a dam would fail. The dams are aging gracefully and do not pose an imminent safety threat."

She said Wayne County is being proactive in looking at the dams to determine if they should be rehabilitated and what that may look like. The dams no longer meet current safety and performance criteria. A "high hazard potential" dam needs to meet higher standards than the original classification of "significant hazard potential."

These dams were built by NCRS in cooperation with the Wayne County Commissioners and the Wayne Conservation District. NRCS worked with the commissioners and district to develop the rehabilitation plan.

The estimated installation costs for the four dams is $21,109,300, with $15,985,300 paid from the Small Watershed Rehabilitation funds, and $5,124,000 from nonfederal funds.

Hard copies of the rehabilitation plan are available at the Wayne County Public Library in Honesdale. An electronic version will also be posted on the Pennsylvania NRCS Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program website at bit.ly/3MB4c6G from now through June 30.

NRCS states that the public comment period will end on June 30 and the final rehabilitation plan should be completed by September. Specific inquiries about this rehabilitation plan can be referred to Heather Smeltz, NRCS Engineer, by phone at 717-237-2214 or Heather.Smeltz@usda.gov.

Public comments on the Draft Plan-EA for the rehabilitation of these four dams should be sent to Denise Coleman, State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 359 East Park Drive, Suite 2, Harrisburg, PA 17111. NRCS adds that if your comments are not received by the due date, NRCS will assume you do not wish to comment.