Calculating Flood Hazard Reduction as Part of Dam Removal Feasibility Studies
Beth Styler Barry
The Nature Conservancy
Chester, NJ
Geoffrey M. Goll, PE
Princeton Hydro LLC
Trenton, NJ
Authros: Geoffrey M. Goll, PE, Princeton Hydro, Trenton, NJ
Beth Styler Barry, The Nature Conservancy, NJ, Chester, NJ
River restoration prioritization has historically centered on ecological benefits including habitat improvement, fish migration and sediment transport. More and more we see the restoration lens widened to include people or community resilience benefits. Especially on the east coast and mid-west of the U.S., dams sprung up during the American industrial revolution to power sawmills, flour and grist, textiles, paper, tanning, among other industries. Due to the employment and opportunities for associated businesses and services to support the communities around the mills, communities grew around them. Most of these dams became obsolete during the 20th Century, yet the towns continued to grow. And the dams, while an aesthetic component of the towns, were uncared for, and as a result of increased populations surrounding them, created a public safety liability from back flooding upstream due to the dam, but also, they were to suddenly fail, populations immediately downstream were vulnerable. In this presentation we discuss methods used to explore flood reduction opportunities due to drop in water surface level, potential downstream impacts due to unplanned breach, and potential use of the former impoundment as Green Infrastructure to lessen downstream flooding and improve water quality. Considering resilience centered co-benefits can also leverage new or different funding. The presentation will review existing tools, such as FEMA Flood Insurance Studies and publicly available dam breach/inundation analysis available, locally or through the USACE Inventory of Dams, to evaluate the overall benefits to communities. Several real-world case studies will be used to illustrate how to use these tools to communicate the benefits of dam removal, and add the benefits of resiliency and sustainability to funding/grant opportunities.
About Beth Styler Barry
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About Geoffrey M. Goll, PE
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