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       #Post#: 25--------------------------------------------------
       Future Embankment Inspection Process
   DIR By: Doug K
       Date: June 21, 2018, 12:21 pm
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       Hi all,
       One of the main goals of the Vegetation Management / Remediation
       project, besides making these dams safer, is to enable the NY
       Canal Corp (NYCC) to properly INSPECT these Earthen Embankments
       on a regular basis. Currently there are many areas where the
       Embankments haven't been inspected at all for over 75 years.
       It's a serious issue that is being fixed, once completed I'm
       sure more thorough Inspections will occur. Regular Inspections
       are required on the entire dam.
       The basic premise here is simple: Earthen Dams are ONLY safe if
       routine Inspections are performed from the TOP & BOTTOM of the
       Embankments
       Here's a GREAT post with a link to a very comprehensive
       Embankment Dam Inspection Guide
  HTML https://ecna.createaforum.com/canal-walker-watch/embankment-dam-inspection-guide-bureau-of-reclamation/
       ERIE CANAL EMBANKMENT INSPECTION:
       According to NYCC the current Canal Inspectors will soon start
       inspecting these Embankments following prescribed guidelines and
       in a more methodical manner. Currently Canal Walkers have ONLY
       inspected by looking down the slopes from the Erie Canal Trail
       (ECT). With all the trees in the way, all the vegetation
       covering the slope surface these past inspections have been
       hampered to say the least.
       None of the dams have been examined from the Toe of Slope
       looking upward to the ECT in many years, even though that is the
       best method to see leakage issue properly. Having a uniform
       covering on the Embankment is still another benefit to these
       Inspectors. Just like in our own yards the grass that has more
       water always is a little greener, always a little taller between
       cuts. Toe of Slope inspection is critical.
       Once the Erie Canal Embankments become grass-covered, these
       routine Inspections will be easier to perform, and much more
       effective. But that does come at a cost. Plan now for Canal
       Walkers doing their Inspections from TWO locations, one is from
       the ECT looking down slope like today. The other will be new for
       all of us living adjacent to the Embankment Slopes. On their
       "return walk" those Canal Walkers will most likely be inspecting
       along the BOTTOM of the slopes (along the Toe) looking upward.
       They are looking for water issues, burrowing animals and other
       items on their checklists. That will mean we may see them along
       each of our properties anytime of the day during daylight hours.
       Just a heads up... maybe get to know them and help point out
       issues on your own properties if needed to assist them. It is
       just another by-product of making AND keeping the Erie Canal
       safe. It will be a big change for some who've never had Canal
       Walker/Inspectors along their property borders. Remember this..
       they are just doing their JOBS.. trying to insure WE are all
       that much safer when the Erie Canal is Full
       For those interested in Earthen Embankment Inspections, I've
       included links to a website as well as several Guides &
       Tutorials. I've linked to a shared folder on Google Drive in
       some cases due to file size and limitations in this Forum for
       attachments
       ASDSO -
  HTML http://damfailures.org/lessons-learned/regular-operation-maintenane-and-inspection-of-dams-is-important-to-the-early-detection-and-prevention-of-dam-failure/
       FEMA - Vegetation Guide on Earthen Dams -
  HTML https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WZuvWer8HfXGZW5eNOaO10zjIrcvRyna/view?usp=sharing
       TADS - Embankment Inspection Guide -
  HTML https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eRVjn8oP91WbLDNjYYdgc1XLjPWwMZFW/view?usp=sharing
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