SPRINGFIELD -- The city, having completed a $2.4 million rehabilitation project at the lower dam of Van Horn Park, once deemed a "high hazard' for flooding, is now turning its attention to study an upper dam at the park to further safeguard the area.
The city recently received an $84,000 state grant for a Phase 2 study of the Upper Van Horn Reservoir Dam, officials said. The grant was received from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
In 2016, officials launched the project to rehabilitate the lower earthen dam, with the work occurring eight years after the dam was classified a "high hazard" for flooding.
At the time, officials raised concerns that it posed a flood risk to the Liberty Heights neighborhood including Baystate Medical Center.
Patrick J. Sullivan, the city's director of parks, buildings and recreation, said the upper earthen dam is not as big of a concern but fits in with the task of flood protection. The upper dam forms the embankment for Armory Street, above the lower dam area, officials said.
"We want them both in operating condition and safe condition," Sullivan said. "Now that the lower dam is done, we can breathe a little easier."
The study has an estimated cost off $112,000. In addition to the state funds, the city is using $28,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for the study, as authorized by Mayor Domenic J. Sarno.
The Phase 2 evaluation includes an engineering analysis of the upper dam structure including rehabilitation options needed to bring the dam into compliance with dam safety regulations, officials said.
Both dams are upstream from homes, commercial buildings and Baystate.
City officials have heard many positive comments about the results of the lower dam rehabilitation in making the dam safe and providing greater recreational opportunities for walking, jogging and biking.
In 2007, the lower dam was cited for non-compliance by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, listed as "structurally deficient and in poor condition."
The funding for the lower dam rehabilitation project included $1 million from the state, $1 million from MassMutual in connection with a federal grant program and city funds.
The contractor was Northern Tree Services of Wilbraham.
The project included the removal of trees and stumps from the dam area designed to reduce erosion and potential dam failure. In addition, the project involved repairs to the concrete outlet structure for the dam, steel bar grates and a pipe that goes through the dam to allow normal flow, officials said.