Piper Pond
In early September 2020, the Town of West Springfield began repair work and improvements on the Piper Pond Reservoir “Res.” The project, with a total budget of $450,000, officially began in 2019 when the Town hired engineering consult and landscaping firm Milone & Macbroom to study the structure of the dam and the current conditions of the concrete spillway that controls water levels between the upper and lower reservoir.
The existing system was first built in the aftermath of Hurricane Carol in 1953, after the storm caused significant damage to the Piper Road area adjacent to the reservoir. Since this time, the spillway has deteriorated significantly to a point where water flow cannot be controlled (Figures 1 & 2). The culvert, located in the Lower Res that controls water flow before running under Piper Pond was found to be pulled away from its structures as well (Figure 3).
Figure 1: Pre-Construction Conditions
Figure 2: Pre-Construction Conditions
Figure 3: Lower Res Culvert going under Piper Road - Pre-Construction Conditions
The goals for the Piper Pond Project are to:
- Repair the spillway to allow for control of water flow and water level.
- Add some recreation components to the spillway/dam system by creating an ADA access dock for fishing, an assessable walkway, and stepping stones.
- Reinforce dam structure with riprap stonework on the dam side to the Lower Reservoir.
- Repair the culvert on the Lower Reservoir side, leading under Piper Road.
In the Fall of 2019, Milone & MacBroom presented the Town with the proposed design (Figure 4)
Figure 4: Rendering - Piper Pond Sideview of Dam Improvements
The project ran into a short delay at the beginning of 2020 due to COVID-19, but was on track again in the late spring. It went out to bid in June of 2020, and the project contract was awarded in July to Edward Paige Corp, 376 University Ave, Westwood, MA. Construction began early September and is scheduled to be completed by the end of October 2020.
Please check back with the Park & Recreation Department frequently for updates on the project.
September 4, 2020 - Drawdown of the Water for Access to the Spillway. The rate of water flow during drawdown was 4 inches per hour.
September 4, 2020 - Demo of Old Spillway
September 18, 2020 - Demo & Stump Cleaning
September 23, 2020 - Demo of Spillway
September 23, 2020 - Dewatering Reservoir
