YONKERS.
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completed the following work on the
Croton Falls Dam:
■ Installation of 49 200-foot-long, 36-
strand post-tensioning cable anchors into
the dam crest that tie the main dam to
the underlying rock;
■ Installation of a 700-linear foot coffer-
dam to perform spillway weir rehabilita-
tion;
■ Demolition of the downstream gate
chamber and reconstruction of a larger,
subterranean valve chamber that hous-
es new valving;
■ Construction of intake and outtake struc-
tures, where water enters and leaves the
reservoirs at the Diverting and Croton sites;
■ Installation of sluice gates, which are
devices that slide up and down to cover
openings to block and open the flow of
water;
■ Installation of a stainless steel, 84-inch
diameter manifold pipe that connects the
downstream gate chamber and the new
valve chamber;
■ Replacement of all valves and major
pipes; and
■ Rehabilitation of existing instake gate
house.
Renovating the intake tower is a big
job, France says, because they extend to PROJECT PARTICIPANTS
the bottom of the dam. The structures Owner: New York City Department of
are built in the water and house all Environmental Protection
Designer: MWH
mechanical means for the water to exit
Construction manager: Earth-Tek
into the river, he adds. Construction and HAKS
“One of the big challenges is working
with the varying water levels and work- 20 to 30 million gallons per day to main-
ing with water, period,” France states. tain downstream rivers and wildlife.
“Keeping the water levels constant Working with the city’s department
required coordination with the New of environmental protection required
York City Department of Environ- YCC/Dragados to take extra care in
mental Protection at additional upstate ensuring water and the job site
reservoirs.” remained clean. “Keeping the water
The department requires water conserva- clean is a top priority for us,” France
tion at all times, including maintenance of says.
minimum flows so downstream rivers To ensure water quality and cleanli-
don’t dry up and so downstream reser- ness, YCC/Dragados says it employed
voirs receive an inflow of water. various means of protection, such as
Water was diverted from the dams via the use of water curtains, double con-
siphoning. Typical siphons were construct- tainment on all chemicals, settling
ed out of 18- to 30-inch high-density poly- ponds, tanks for sedimentation control,
ethylene piping (HDPE) in runs of 300 to as well as sand filtration devices on
500 feet, allowing YCC/Dragados to siphon pumps. ■
FREYSSINET LLC
Freyssinet shares the corporate values of innovation and efficiency with the Yonkers/Dragados Joint Venture as evi-
denced in the development and supply of a precast concrete dam refacing alternative for the Cross River and Croton
Falls Dams. The companies worked together toward developing a solution that meets functional, structural and aesthetic
requirements while reducing site activity and impact on the sensitive site environment.
FEBRUARY 2009 ■ WWW.CONSTRUCTION-TODAY.COM ■ 237