Auburn, New Kernsville, Tamaqua Dams, Schuylkill County, PA

CEDARVILLE Engineering Group, LLC (CEG) was awarded a contract with the Pennsylvania Department of General Services to perform maintenance activities at three (3) Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) Schuylkill River dams: New Kernsville, Auburn, and Tamaqua. Maintenance buildings, facilities, equipment, and berthing areas used during Schuylkill River de-silting operations were situated on each of the dam properties.  The facilities were built around 1950.

New Kernsville and Tamaqua buildings were demolished after being tested for hazardous materials, including asbestos. Demolished building materials were used to help preserve the Auburn building. Track mounted excavators with various claws and hammers were used to break apart and stockpile building and mooring cap materials including concrete, metal, and stone block. Explosives were not used as part of the project work. All demolition work was completed safely and in accordance with OSHA, state, and local regulations. Ferrous material not stockpiled, along with ancillary equipment, was removed from the site and disposed of at a properly licensed facility.

Work on the mooring caps at the Schuylkill River waters’ edge was completed after placement of a silt curtain in the water, preventing erosion and turbidity migration through any part of the water body. Approximately 230 linear feet of mooring cap was removed at New Kernsville and 90 linear feet of mooring cap were removed at Tamaqua, as measured along the water’s edge. The mooring cap was removed to just below the water line and as necessary to provide a 2:1 (H:V) bank slope. All areas were graded and reseeded to provide a stabilized surface.

Other erosion and sedimentation (E&S) control measures used during active demolition and up until earth stabilization had occurred included compost filter sock around stockpiled materials and disturbed areas, as well as, the silt curtain used during concrete mooring cap removal. CEG secured additional local permitting for demolition and or paving at each site location.

NEW KERNSVILLE DESILTING FACILITY - Building is no longer needed or required for maintenance or dredging activities.  Work completed at the site included:

• Demolition of the maintenance building.
• Asbestos testing for roofing materials, conducted prior to building demolition.
• Removal and disposal of dredge piping and materials.
• Removal of the concrete mooring cap around the berthing area.
• Replaced fence along the perimeter of the property, extending it to protect the berthing area.

TAMAQUA DESILTING FACILITY - Building is no longer needed or required for maintenance or dredging activities.  Work completed at the site included:

• Demolition of three buildings.
• A cul-de-sac type driveway was installed following the demolition work.

AUBURN DESILTING FACILITY – Building was restored for use as a maintenance facility.  Desilting activities were no longer anticipated, site was cleared of all associated equipment and materials.  Work completed at this site included:

• Removal of lead-based paint from the existing three steel garage doors and two main doors.
• Repair of the three steel garage doors and repainting of all steel doors.
• Removal, replacement, and installation of new chain link fences with barbed wire (included one-vehicle and one-man gate.
• Repointing the maintenance building stonework.
• Replacement of the concrete lintels and steel support structures for all doors.
• Repaving of the driveway leading to the maintenance building.
• Repointing of the existing stone monuments.
• Removal and disposal of dredge piping from the property.

SERVICES:

• Prime near the property entrance
• Asbestos testing for roofing materials, conducted prior to building demolition.
• Removal and disposal of dredge piping and materials.
• Removal of the concrete mooring cap.
• Repaired and repointed stone monument

PROJECT DETAILS:

• Client: PA Department of General Services
• Project Address: Schuylkill County, PA