Award of Merit Water/Enviornment and Award of Merit Excellence in Sustainability: Somerset Lake Dam Rehabilitation
The $7.6-million dam rehabilitation project, completed within budget in 25 months, included a labyrinth spillway, seepage and filter protection, raising the elevation of the top of the dam and improving the control tower and lake drain system that regulate the water level.
The team discovered sand seams that reached under the existing poorly constructed earthen dam without adequate cutoff. This contributed to uncontrolled seepage that resulted in standing water and wetland formation downstream. To collect seepage passing through and under the dam, the team installed a chimney and blanket along the rebuilt embankment.