A view of the partially-demolished dam, looking downstream as an excavator removes timbers from the crest of the dam.
By Ellie Mason, Habitat Restoration Project Manager
This week in Cherryfield, demolition of the dam continued and crews prepared the site for crane access to begin construction of the new ice piers.
As the work area dried out, staff from DSF and our project partners were on site relocating wildlife from within the construction zone. We safely moved American eels, sunfish, snapping turtles, small minnows, and freshwater mussels to habitat outside the project area before construction continued.
Looking upstream at excavators prepping a site where a new ice pier will be built. Once site prep is complete, the entire area will look like the leveled-out square of gravel. The cofferdam, which has been reinforced with sheet pile, is holding water back from entering the construction site.
Next week, crews are expected to begin driving piles for the foundation of the new ice piers. Sargent will be working on Saturday, August 8 to prepare the site for pile driving. Pile driving may produce louder-than-usual construction noise.
We’ve also had a few instances of people entering the construction area this week. For everyone’s safety, we’d like to remind the community that Cable Pool Park is closed to the public.
An excavator is working to take down the crest of the dam, and the training wall on the river right side of the dam has been entirely removed.