September 19, 2005

DEP Announces Commencement of Salmon River Flood Control Project

In a ceremony held today, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the United States Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE) announced the start of a $1.8 million flood control project on the Salmon River in East Haddam, Haddam, and East Hampton. The project consists of constructing an ice control structure and a sediment basin on the Salmon River upstream of the Leesville Dam. This is the first ice control project in the State of Connecticut.

"The lower reaches of the Salmon River have been prone to severe ice jams which cause flooding and threaten lives and property," said DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy. "This comprehensive flood control project will protect local residents, homes, roads, and bridges by preventing the buildup of ice jams."

"Construction of this project is the culmination of several years of collaboration between the Corps of Engineers, State of Connecticut authorities and local citizens," said District Engineer Col. Curtis L. Thalken, of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ New England District. "Our partnership is a noteworthy example of how federal, state and local governments should work together for those it represents, creating a dynamic that is much more effective than any single effort."

The Salmon River Flood Control Project involves construction of a 125-foot long ice control structure 200-feet upstream of the Leesville Dam. The ice control structure consists of concrete piers and a series of boulders that will prevent ice from forming jams. An accompanying permanent flow relief channel will be built adjacent to the ice control structure, which will allow for the river to flow when there are ice sheets contained within the ice control structure. A sedimentation basin will be excavated to trap sediment upstream of the dam thus minimizing the amount of sediment transported downstream. The project is expected to be complete by the end of December 2005.

In December of 1995, the ACOE identified the need to reduce flood damage downstream of the Leesville Dam caused by ice jams during the winter months. Ice jams form when winter ice sheets break up during a sudden increase in discharge caused by runoff from snowmelt or rainfall. The broken ice is transported downstream until the transport capacity of the river is exceeded and the ice stops forming a jam, that blocks the flow of water. Over the next several years a series of studies were conducted, including a three-year feasibility study that, upon completion, recommended the flood control project that is currently underway.

The DEP is cost sharing the $1.8 million Salmon River Flood Control Project with the ACOE. The ACOE is sharing 65% of the cost while the DEP is sharing the other 35%. The design and construction of the sediment basin, which is part of the $1.8 million, is funded 100% by the DEP.

This is the first ice control project in the State of Connecticut. The Leesville Dam portion of the Salmon River was selected as the first ice control project site due to severe ice jams and associated flooding that have historically occurred on this stretch of the Salmon River causing damage to at least 5 residences on Powerhouse Road, Route 151, and the Route 151 bridge.

Attachment: Salmon River Ice Control Structure Fact Sheet - (.pdf file)

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