In 2022, we ensured all our dams meet all the current ODNR Dam Safety requirements.
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"Are maintenance or flowage easements on my property?" is a frequently asked question. To help you see where the easements are situated, we have developed the Chippewa Subdistrict Dynamic Map. Click the link to see your property. Similar in operation to a Google map, zoom in for more detail, use the mouse cursor to drag your viewpoint side to side or up and down.
In 2022, we continued our essential maintenance of removing downed trees from the maintenance berms and channels. The trees were removed from these areas to prevent logjams and to allow access needed to do channel inspections and channel mowing. This past year, we also continued our maintenance program on the 8 flood control dams. The dams were mowed 3 times this year to maintain the sod cover and aid in the ease of inspections.
With our maintenance and regular inspections, all our dams currently meet ODNR Safety requirements. Two large tile outlets were replaced this year on the Little Chippewa channel. These structures were made of corrugated metal pipe and have deteriorated over the past 50 years and were beginning to fail and impacting the maintenance berm along the Little Chippewa Channel. These structures were replaced with PVC materials to ensure that they will function for many more years.
One maintenance crossing on the River Styx channel was repaired. The maintenance crossing is being used for our routine maintenance of the River Styx Channel along with providing access for the landowner to the rest of their property on the other side of the channel. The crossing over the years had become narrow and muddy and hard to cross due to the build of sediment. A small spring had also developed which was keeping the entrance to the crossing wet. The spring was tiled out and outleted into the channel to dry up the entrance. The sediment was removed from the crossing down to the original stone. Then the banks were pulled back along the crossing to allow larger equipment to use the crossing.
The eight Chippewa Dams range in age from 40 – 50 years old. In 2023, we are continuing to focus on the maintenance and inspections of the channels and dams. We work to keep them in excellent condition, which requires regular inspection and monitoring. How do you safely inspect concrete spillway pipes and that are buried deep, and hundreds of feet long?
See Hubbard Valley Dam Laser Scanning Project.
Channel Maintenance
Vegetation management is key to preserving channel capacity for flow, and for providing access for maintenance activities along the 33 miles of channel that we are responsible for.
Dam Maintenance
Vegetation management is key to preserving channel capacity for flow, and for providing access for maintenance activities along the 33 miles of channel that we are responsible for.
Special Projects
An example of special projects is Dam structure 5-D, which required raising the height of the Dam to ensure the Dam will safely pass the required storm event. As standards improve, each dam is evaluated and modified as needed to meet the stricter standards in place today. All our dams meet the standards set by the ODNR.
Hubbard Valley Dam Laser Scanning Project
We initiated our first laser scan and 3D basemap of a Principal Spillway structure in 2019 and have continued to leverage that data. At Hubbard Valley Dam, (Dam 3-A), the spillway consists of a 25 foot tall concrete riser, 42-inch diameter by 236 foot long outlet pipe and impact basin. GPD Group – Akron was the contractor. The initial report and drawings provided a very detailed basemap of the spillway. Comparisons of the initial basemap and subsequent scans, will indicate any possible compromises of the structure or the pipe. This level of detail will supplement more basic visual inspections.
StormLink® Instrumentation at Dam 5-D
We installed our third Automated Rainfall and Stage Level Monitoring System with a StormLink® Satellite Monitoring Station in 2019 and utilized that data in 2020. The StormLink® is installed on Dam 5-D, off Steiner Road near Creston, Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) staff installed conduit, concrete supports, and the solar-powered station. We are continuing to monitor the site remotely for rainfall and flood pool stage, which is especially important during large storm events.
