Work on Drimmie Dam in Elora could begin as early as this summer.
The Grand River Conservation Authority board recently gave staff the green light to enter into an agreement with XTerra Construction Inc. of Kitchener to begin work on the Drimmie Dam.
Work is anticipated to begin after the permits and funds have been received, which could be as early as late July.
An Environmental Assessment (EA) on the project was completed in 2010. The EA recommended reconstruction of the dam at a crest height 0.5 metres (1.6 feet) lower than the existing dam.
GRCA officials say this will help to alleviate the risk of dam failure and reduce the risk of flooding through Elora, while also maintaining the river aesthetic and the hydro benefits of the dam.
The dam has been deteriorating for some time. XTerra was hired after a tendering process last summer. The work was initially expected to get underway in 2011, but the tender advised that the $1 million contract may not be completed until the fall of 2012.
In a recent email, Dave Schultz, manager of communications with the Grand River Conservation Authority, added the project is still on track.
The tendered price for the work is $1,015,547 (HST included) for the reconstruction work.
The project is being funded by the provincial WECI program, the GRCA capital levy and a contribution from the Township of Centre Wellington.
The project also reduces the risk of flooding from the Grand River through Elora, and includes a service gate to allow maintenance behind the dam.
The proposed funding plan for the project includes:
– $375,000 from the GRCA general municipal (Capital) levy (including transfer from reserve);
– a $200,000 contribution from Centre Wellington Township; and
– $545,500 in funding from the province (subject to confirmation).
Total available funding is expected to be sufficient to complete the reconstruction work, along with the estimate for engineering and inspection by Sanchez Engineering throughout the project.
In later discussion, Schultz stated he spoke with the engineering director about the set-up for the Drimmie Dam project.
He said “work will begin on the Little Folks side of the river. A coffer dam will be installed starting at the bank and going partway across the river allowing that section of the river to be dewatered. That portion of the old dam will be removed and replaced with a new control gate and a section of the new dam.
“Once that work is finished, things will flip over to the other bank. Another coffer dam will be installed and the area dewatered. Water will flow through the new control gate.”
The remaining section of the old dam will be removed and the new dam constructed.
Schultz added “The new dam will only be about a foot or so shorter than the existing one. The view will be virtually identical to what exists there now.”
However, during high water, more water will be able to pass through Elora before flooding problems begin.
That’s because the new dam will have a gate in it which can be opened in high water and also because the new dam will have a curve to it which allows more water to flow over it during high water, he said.
The work is scheduled to last about three to four months.
