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Wendel Designs Transmission Main Crossing Historic Erie Canal
Wendel Designs Transmission Main Crossing Historic Erie Canal
The Niagara County Water District (NCWD) in Niagara County, NY, is responsible for providing fresh, clean drinking water to more than 150,000 customers spread throughout 522 square miles in three counties.
Wendel conducted a risk analysis on the NCWD system and identified that there was a single point of failure in their drinking water system that could jeopardize the provision of water to over one third of their customers. That critical point in the system was the single drinking water transmission main that crosses the historic Erie Canal and transports water across Niagara County from the shores of the Niagara River to 50,000 customers.
Completed in 1825, the Erie Canal runs through the heart of Niagara County. From May to September the Canal is a navigable waterway. If the transmission main failed when the Canal was filled with water, the problems caused by a transmission main failure would be extraordinary, jeopardizing the supply of clean water to over 50,000 customers. Because of that potential, Wendel recommended a second crossing point to ensure a continuous water supply.
The challenge in completing a project in the Erie Canal was two-fold. The project had to be completed during the winter months and the design had to be flexible to address ever changing issues caused by freezing conditions, varying water drainage into the canal because of thawing of snow fall and the general difficulties of performing construction during the winter in Western New York. The project could not damage or interfere with the historic nature of the Canal while maintaining the aesthetics of the site that is a common recreation travel fare for aquatic pursuits during the summer season.
Design challenges included conforming to the ambiguities and materials of construction of the Canal due to its nature and age. In addition, the design had to address the fact that the Canal could not be completely dewatered. During the winter months, the Canal is partially drained, but there is still a continuous flow of water in the Canal from snow melt and rainfall. Wendel had to create divergent structures in the Canal that allowed water to pass through the construction place while enabling the installation of the transmission main at the bottom of the canal.
This project was completed as part of an overarching capital /asset management program that was developed to create an economically sustainable model that maximized the usage of additional financial and geographic resources to guarantee the supply of water to current customers and to enhance economic development issues with a robust supply of affordable water.
Project Location
Niagara County, NY
Services Performed
Environmental
Permitting
Design
Construction related services
