NYC Engineering Inspection Confirms Dam’s Structural Integrity

Earlier this week engineers from New York City’s Department of Environment Protection (DEP) performed a full inspection of the Gilboa Dam in the Schoharie Reservoir and determined that the dam is structurally sound. The current reservoir level is 1,129.07 ft and continues to decline as streams in the area recede.

Due to this assessment, DEP is deactivating the dam Emergency Action Plan. The storm-related impacts of Hurricane Irene on Sunday triggered the emergency action plan that has been in place since 2005. To protect the public, the plan requires an area-wide evacuation until extraordinary conditions—like Sunday’s storm—have abated, and any potential impacts to the dam are assessed.

Due to very heavy rain associated with Hurricane Irene, the Schoharie Reservoir received extraordinary water flows that raised the water level to an unprecedented 1,137.95 ft at 2:30 p.m. Sunday—nearly 1 ½ higher than the previous record set during a storm in January 1996. As of yesterday the water was still receding, and will return to normal levels as area stream flows continue to decline following Hurricane Irene.

Source: NY DEP