Owassa Drive Culvert Replacement

The Arrowhead Lake Community Association, Inc. (ALCA), located in Pocono Lake, Pennsylvania, recognized that the twin corrugated metal culverts passing over Trout Creek were failing. Owassa Drive crosses the culverts and is a primary access for many of the Arrowhead Lake homeowners.

The drainage area to the crossing is nine square miles. Just upstream of the crossing, a dam impounding Brady’s Lake was breached due to the deterioration of the dam. The loss of the Brady’s Lake dam exacerbated the culverts’ deterioration. Another contributing factor to the metal pipe deterioration was the natural low pH (acidic) of the soil and water and the original inadequate backfill technique and materials.

Princeton Hydro analyzed the watershed and determined the hydraulic conditions of the existing culvert as well as a host of replacement options. The ALCA selected a Con-Span culvert with natural bottom due to the capacity, environmental benefits, cost and aesthetics. A geotechnical investigation yielded data on the existing backfill and helped determine that replacement of this material was justified. Field survey was conducted to design the culvert replacement supplemented by an aerial survey of the community. Princeton Hydro permitted the project and construction was completed in June of 2005. Princeton Hydro provided construction administration and oversight during the completion of the culvert replacement.