Furnace Brook Restoration & Dam Removals

In 2019, Princeton Hydro was contracted by Riverkeeper, Inc. to progress two sequential dam removals, Barrier #1 and Maiden Lane Dam on the Furnace Brook, a tributary to the Lower Hudson River in the Town of Cortlandt of Westchester County, NY. Furnace Brook, like many of the tributaries to the Lower Hudson River, was industrialized with many mill dams in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Barrier #1, a low-head, masonry dam, was the first barrier on Furnace Brook. Princeton Hydro conducted the site investigation, H&H Analysis, engineering plan set development, permit submission, and construction oversight. The dam removal was finalized in October 2020, which was the first permitted dam removal in New York State in decades.

Less than a mile upstream of Barrier #1 is the Maiden Lane Dam, a dam with a 20+ foot-high concrete spillway. From 2019 to 2021, Princeton Hydro developed a conceptual design under the contract with Riverkeeper, Inc. This work included collecting and analyzing sediment samples, conducting geomorphic assessment including sediment probes, completing an H&H analysis which focused on potential impacts to flooding, and developing a conceptual design plan set. At this stage, Princeton Hydro also coordinated with NYSDEC, Westchester County, and the Town of Cortlandt to ensure the feasibility of the dam removal.

In 2021, Princeton Hydro was contracted by Westchester County to finalize the engineering plan set, support the permit submission, and provide bid procurement support. This work will include finalizing a sediment management plan with NYSDEC and other permitting agencies. The project team estimates this phase will be completed in 2022, with removal of Maiden Lane Dam occurring in 2023.