An audio recording, meeting summary and materials are available.
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West Hill Pond Meeting Summary of Meeting on Thursday, January 15, 2025
Quick recap
The meeting focused on discussing the safety and maintenance concerns of several dams, including West Hill Pond Dam and a privately-owned dam in New Williamstown, with particular attention to water levels, structural integrity, and potential risks to downstream areas. The group explored various options for managing dam safety, including emergency action plans, funding challenges, and potential solutions like siphoning systems or sluice gates, while noting the complexities of dam ownership and liability. The discussion concluded with plans to gather community input and explore funding sources for necessary repairs or replacements, with emphasis on balancing safety concerns with recreational use of the pond.
Next steps
- Jenn: Circle back with the fire chief to ask about the feasibility of using the existing dry hydrant/fire department access to lower the pond water level and share findings (possibly via online update or at the next meeting).
- Jenn: Invite the fire chief (and possibly Sid) to attend the first meeting in February to discuss the feasibility of using the dry hydrant or other means to lower the water level as a temporary safety measure.
- Jenn/Meeting organizers: Consider including a discussion item or comment opportunity at Town Meeting Day and/or in the Cabot Chronicle to gather community input on the West Hill Pond dam situation and potential actions.
- Jenn/Meeting organizers: Ensure the Emergency Action Plan remains posted on the town website and update it as needed if contact information or dam conditions change.
- Jenn/Meeting organizers: Look for other funding sources to support further steps beyond temporary water lowering, such as dam repair or replacement, without requiring town ownership.
Summary
West Hill Pond Dam Safety
The meeting focused on the status and safety of the West Hill Pond Dam, with Steve providing an update that the dam remains in a static, deteriorated condition. Jenn inquired about inundation maps and the Emergency Action Plan, which Steve explained show the potential impact of a dam failure, including water depths and velocities. The group discussed the volume calculations for the pond, with Steve clarifying that the 11-foot dam height refers to the water depth at the dam, not the entire pond depth, and that not all water would be released in a failure scenario.
Cabot Dam Emergency Action Plan
The group discussed the Emergency Action Plan for a dam in Cabot, focusing on potential water releases and evacuation procedures. They clarified that the dam holds back 11 feet of water, with a drainage area of 2.3 miles, and identified specific properties at risk of catastrophic failure, including two homes in Lower Cabot and one on West Hill Pond Road. The plan aims to prioritize evacuation of homes at greatest risk, with the understanding that not all downstream residents would need to evacuate in the event of a failure.
Dam Safety and Pond Management
The meeting focused on discussing the current state and future of the dam and West Hill Pond. Steve explained that the Dam Safety Program is developing rules for funding emergency and non-emergency repairs, as well as removals, but these rules are not yet finalized. He noted that there is little to no funding available for dam repairs. The group also discussed the volume of water in West Hill Pond, with Steve clarifying that the storage numbers shared earlier included both water and sediment. Phil inquired about accessing the emergency plan, which Betty directed him to find on the Town of Cabot website.
Dam Safety and Management Concerns
Clifton expressed concerns about the potential damage from a dam failure, highlighting the risk to the sewer system and downstream areas. He suggested proactively lowering the water level in the dam during heavy rain or spring runoff to alleviate pressure. Betty and Trisha discussed how other towns have funded dam replacements through fundraising efforts, but noted that the Cabot dam is privately owned, complicating any town-led initiatives. The group also considered using pumps or over-the-top piping as a precautionary measure to monitor and manage the dam’s water levels.
Dam Management and Water Control
The group discussed the West Hill Pond Association’s regular monitoring of the dam using trail cameras, with Jim and Lori Gothier sending pictures to Vermont Dam safety officials. They explored options for managing water levels, including the possibility of installing a sluice gate, though this would require permission from property owners and could cost between $800,000 and $102 million. Steve explained that a sluice gate alone wouldn’t address the dam’s structural issues, and partial breach might be necessary to reduce water pressure. The group noted ongoing legal disputes regarding property ownership and discussed a successful multi-stakeholder collaboration in Calais where a community association took ownership of a dam after fundraising and negotiating with the town.
Dam Safety and Maintenance Challenges
The group discussed concerns about an unsafe dam and the challenges of addressing its maintenance and safety issues. Fred expressed frustration about the lack of action and the need for state permission to implement temporary solutions like a siphon system to lower water levels. The discussion highlighted the complexities of dam ownership, liability, and the need for community involvement or external funding to address the problem. The conversation also touched on the potential for recreational use and the importance of maintaining the dam for safety and community benefit.
Dam Safety and Funding Concerns
The group discussed concerns about a privately-owned dam in Williamstown that is in poor condition and poses safety risks. They explored options for addressing the dam, including potential state involvement, drainage of the pond, and removal of the dam. The town select board and current owners are hesitant to take responsibility for the dam due to liability concerns and unclear ownership history. The state owns water rights but has not taken action to address the dam. The group noted that federal funding for dam repairs was previously available through the BRIC program but was cut by the Trump administration. They agreed to encourage local legislators to seek new funding sources and develop a long-term strategic plan for addressing the dam issue.
Dam Safety and Maintenance Plan
Jenn and Steve discussed the need to lower the water level to relieve pressure on the dam, but Steve emphasized that a complete project would be required, not just digging out sediment. Fred proposed a multi-step plan involving Cabot and property owners to repair or replace the dam, which Steve supported in principle. Philip raised concerns about downstream flooding if the dam were removed, highlighting the potential for disaster with 9-14 inches of water. Heather inquired about using the pond’s access for firefighting purposes, and it was confirmed that the fire department uses dry hydrants in emergencies.
West Hill Pond Water Management
The group discussed options for managing water levels at West Hill Pond, where a dam poses safety concerns. Fred suggested exploring the feasibility of installing a siphoning system or using a fire hydrant to control water flow, while Karen noted that building a secondary dam in front of the existing one, as done in Calais, could be an option though expensive. The community expressed a desire to maintain the pond for recreational purposes while ensuring safety, and Jenn proposed bringing the fire chief to the February meeting to discuss further options. The group agreed to gather community input at town meeting day and through the Cabot Chronicle to address the issue.