Project Description
The Ridgewood Reservoir, located within Highland Park in Queens, is currently classified as a Class 'C' or 'High Hazard' dam by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). The reservoir is divided into three basins separated by embankments and has been substantially drained for many years. The middle basin was not fully pumped out and retains a shallow impoundment, which is believed to be sustained by precipitation. In the years since being taken off-line as a water supply source, the reservoir has fallen into disrepair and transitioned to a naturalized area that, while consistent with the park use of the site and the surrounding Highland Park, is inconsistent with dam operational guidelines. In the event of extreme storm events, the reservoir could potentially impound water and pose a public safety hazard. The tree removal, physical disturbance and initial and on-going expenses necessary for rehabilitating and maintaining the reservoir as a Class 'C' dam in compliance with regulatory requirements would be substantial. Since the reservoir has not served as part of the City's water supply for decades, there is no longer need to maintain it as a working reservoir and dam. A less invasive alternative for complying with New York State's Dam Safety Regulations would be to breach the dam and thereby qualify to reclassify it as a Class 'D' or 'Negligible or No Hazard' dam. A Class D dam is defined as: a dam that has been breached or removed, or has failed or otherwise no longer materially impounds waters, or a dam that was planned but never constructed. 6 NYCRR § 673.5 (b)(4). In order to officially decommission the dam and allow for its reclassification as a Class 'D' or Negligible/No Hazard dam, three breaches of the embankments are proposed. The installation of breaches would effectively allow for the free discharge of water through the earthen embankments, eliminating the potential for impoundment of water that, in the event of a catastrophic rain event(s), could lead to embankment failure.
