Project Overview
About the Middle Dam Project
As the owner of Middle Dam, Brookfield White Pine Hydro, LLC is required to meet certain dam safety criteria mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) license issued in 2002 to operate and maintain the facility. Middle Dam is a circa 1850s dam that has undergone numerous repair and upgrade efforts during its lifetime. The facility must undergo future repairs to meet FERC dam safety requirements. After evaluating both replacement and in-kind repair options, Brookfield White Pine Hydro, LLC, has determined to pursue a repair, which will minimize stakeholder and environmental impacts. Continued detailed on-site inspections, consultation, and coordination with FERC engineers, and an Independent Engineer, along with ongoing discussions with stakeholders have resulted in making this determination. Specifically, the repair project will meet the dam safety criteria of accommodating Inflow Design Flood (IDF). We do not anticipate significant impacts to recreational and fishing access, or aquatic habitat with the repair option. The piers, aquatic habitat, and access to the pool are expected to remain as is following the repair efforts.
Current Status
Crews finished work at Middle Dam for the Winter-Spring 2023/2024 season on April 5th. Bancroft will remobilize in late-April or early-May to perform maintenance on the dam keepers house. The crews will then transition over to the dam to start work on the Summer 2024 scope in late-May. From May to November crews will be working on the following items:
- Rehabilitation of the Downstream Deep Gate Aprons and Piers
- Installation of Steel in the Upstream North Spillway/North Abutment Area
- Rehabilitation of the Upstream Pier 4 and 5 Nosings
Both the installation of steel and the rehabilitation work will require the use of divers.
Due to varying weather conditions and other mitigating circumstances, these plans are subject to change without prior notice.