New Creek 14, Dam Rehabilitation Project

Watershed Rehabilitation

May 2012 Update

Crews are working around the clock at the New Creek Site 14 Dam Rehabilitation Project. The current work includes: replacement of the reinforced concrete riser intake structure, realignment and reinforcement of the auxiliary spillway utilizing roller compacted concrete (RCC), and flattening of the upstream and downstream slopes. The RCC placement occurs during the night shift in an attempt to reduce concrete temperatures during placement.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) awarded the rehabilitation contract to Heeter Construction, Inc., from Spencer, WV, in September 2010 funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Fifty to sixty workers are currently employed at the project. The contract value to complete the rehabilitation work is approximately $10 million. Federal funding (65%) for the project was provided to NRCS through ARRA. Local funding (35%) was provided by the state and local sponsors—the West Virginia State Conservation Committee and the Potomac Valley Conservation District. The City of Keyser assisted NRCS with the reservoir drawdown prior to the start of construction.

The contractor has installed erosion and sediment control measures, surface and subsurface dewatering measures, the majority of the downstream toe and chimney drainage system; flattened the downstream slope, extended the downstream end of the principal spillway pipe 60 feet; completed the subsurface grouting in the auxiliary spillway location; completed a significant portion of the required excavation for the auxiliary spillway improvements; removed most of the existing intake riser structure; placed two pours on the new intake riser structure; and placed the majority of the rock fill on the upstream slope of the embankment. Construction is estimated to be completed late in 2012.

	The roller compacted concrete (RCC) delivery system is shown in this picture. The on-road trucks deliver material to the site and unload the material into a Gomaco rubber tracked belt placer. The Gomaco belt placer then transfers the material to a Putzmeister Telebelt (telescopic belt conveyor) which delivers the material to the placement location. The contractor is utilizing this delivery system for the RCC placement during the night shift and the fine and coarse aggregate placement during the day shift.
	Workers apply water to the roller compacted concrete (RCC) surface for proper curing of the concrete. Fine and coarse aggregates are placed on the slope to provide drainage beneath the RCC.
	Air photo of New Creek 14 site. Photo by Tim Ridley.

New Creek 14 Prescribed Burn

On March 23, 2012 a prescribed, or controlled, burn at New Creek Site 14 was conducted. The burn was part of the dam rehabilitation project mitigation plan compensating for impacts to wetlands downstream of the dam. Most of the 9.1 acres of wetland are infested with reed-canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) and Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellate). Reed-canary grass commonly infests wetland areas resulting in the displacement of native wetland plants and the decline of wetland habitats.

2011 Summary

The first construction year for the New Creek Site 14 Dam rehabilitation project has recently ended. In September 2010 the rehabilitation contract was awarded by USDA-NRCS-WV to Heeter Construction, Inc., from Spencer, WV. The Notice to Proceed was issued in January 2011. Federal funding (65%) for the project was provided to NRCS through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Local funding (35%) was provided by the state and local sponsors—the West Virginia State Conservation Committee and the Potomac Valley Conservation District. The city of Keyser assisted NRCS with the reservoir drawdown prior to the start of construction.

The Pendleton County Emergency Services assisted the City of Keyser with the operation of the reservoir drawdown gate at New Creek Site 14 on Thursday, February 3, 2011. Pendleton County Emergency Services was asked to assist in transporting a City of Keyser employee across the frozen lake surface. The drawdown gate was opened slightly on that day to continue the reservoir drawdown to facilitate the dam rehabilitation.

	Subsurface investigation of Rehabilitation of New Creek Site 14 Dam. From left to right: Auxiliary spill way (ASW) foreground, top of dam and barge mounted drill rig near intake riser.
		Drill rig on barge near intake riser doing subsurface investigation of Rehabilitation of New Creek Site 14 Dam.

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Final Supplemental Watershed Plan – Environmental Assessment For the Rehabilitation of New Creek Site 14 (5.33 MB)

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