Wendy Walsh : “Tioga County SWCD Update: High Hazard Dams in Spencer”

SPENCER, NY (WBNG) — It has come to light that two dams located in the Town of Spencer have been deemed non-compliant with the stringent standards set by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for almost a decade now. This prolonged delay in renovation has sparked significant concern within the community.

In 2016, the DEC released an extensive report highlighting the inadequacy of these dams, situated in the Dean Creek Watershed, as they failed to meet the current design standards.

Wendy Walsh, the District Manager for the Tioga County Soil & Water Conservation District, expressed that the non-compliance of these dams, constructed nearly 70 years ago, was not unexpected when considering the evolving regulations.

Over the past years, the Soil Water & Conservation District has been actively working on formulating comprehensive plans to bring these dams up to the required standards. However, the approval of these plans is just the initial step, as securing funding for the project becomes the subsequent challenge. It is estimated that one-third of the total project cost, which amounts to a significant $7 million, will need to be funded collectively by the Soil Water & Conservation District, Tioga County, and the Town of Spencer.

Wendy Walsh stated, “We are looking at a significant dollar amount to bring the dams up to current-day standards and specifications. Once the plans are approved, our next focus will be exploring funding opportunities to assist with the local share of addressing these issues.”

To alleviate concerns of residents regarding the dams’ effectiveness in flood prevention, the Soil Water & Conservation District has been conducting regular maintenance. These efforts have successfully demonstrated that no failures occurred, even during the catastrophic 2011 Flood.

Walsh reassured the community, saying, “Despite not meeting the current design standards, these dams are functioning effectively and continue to provide crucial flood protection for the entire watershed.”

While there is currently no specified timeline for the completion of the project, routine maintenance will be carried out to ensure the dams’ stability and safety.