USACE celebrates Prompton Dam project

August 23, 2012

By Mr. Stephen Rochette (USACE)

WAYNE COUNTY, PA -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Philadelphia District celebrated improvements at Prompton Dam with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of a recently completed project Aug. 22. Jo-Ellen Darcy, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, attended the event and said the project will benefit local communities.

"This is going to reduce the risk of flooding for downstream communities including Honesdale, Hawley and Prompton. It will help protect properties, businesses and the livelihoods of the people who live there," said Darcy.

Darcy added the recreational opportunities at Prompton, including waterskiing, boating, fishing, and Frisbee golf, would not be possible without support from the state and volunteer groups such as the Friends of Prompton State Park.

In 2007, the Philadelphia District began the two-phase project. The first phase consisted of constructing a 7-foot wall across the top of the dam to prevent overtopping and widening the spillway.

The second phase of work began in 2010 and further widened the spillway and included building an operations center, maintenance garage and constructing a bridge to the dam to increase access during flood events. Thalle Construction Company served as contractor for the second phase of work.

"With the project in place, the dam is now able to handle 54 inches of rain in an 8-10 day period, which is the probable maximum flood according to the National Weather Service," said Philadelphia District Commander Lt. Col. Chris Becking. "I'm proud of the work by our team and contractors."

State, county and local officials participated in the ribbon-cutting with Ms. Darcy and Lt. Col. Becking. Following the event, Chief of the Philadelphia District Operations Division Anthony DePasquale led a tour of the new facility and dam.

The earthfill dam has prevented more than $23 million in damages since its construction in 1960. It was built in response to severe floods on the Lackawaxen River in 1936, 1942 and 1955.