MORE INFORMATION Wachusett Reservoir Earthen Dam Restoration Project Phase 1 Project Map Larger Image | PDF Other MWRA Dam Upgrade Projects Dam Safety Modification Projects

The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority has awarded a contract for the second phase of work to restore the earthen dams at the Wachusett Reservoir. The contract was awarded to Riccardi Brothers, Inc. of Worcester and is slated to begin in early August.

Periodic dam safety inspections have concluded that trees growing on the earthen dams are a regulatory deficiency under the most recent State Office of Dam Safety regulations.

The work will include cutting and removal of approximately 3,900 trees on the North Dike ranging in size from 5 inches up to 32 inches diameter. Most of the trees are white pines, spruce and arbor vitae and are located on the crest and downstream slope of the dike. Much of the work will not be visible from Rt. 110.

The trees will be cut and chipped and, depending on size, some will be removed in whole logs. After tree cutting and stumping, the earthen dike will be graded and stabilized with grass cover. Once the grass is well established, the newly cleared areas of the dike will be maintained by seasonal cutting as is the remainder of the dike.

Updates will be posted on www.mwra.com as the work progresses.

For more information on this project, please contact Len Cawley at (617) 660-7972 or Leonard.Cawley@mwra.state.ma.us .

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Posted August 1, 2012