January 2023, Halfway Point of the Project:
Lake Williams Dam Rehabilitation Project Press Release, March 21, 2022
Lake Williams Dam Project Initial Construction Activities Press Release, November 1, 2021
Lake Williams Dam Project FAQ’s.
Click here to view a video story produced by the York Daily Record on the Lake Williams Dam project.
Please note:
- The Lake Williams reservoir is currently in a dewatered condition to allow for construction activities to progress on the Lake Williams Dam. Discharges from Lake Redman will continue to flow downstream through the dewatered reservoir footprint of Lake Williams and continue around the construction zone to maintain base flow conditions in the downstream channel. This is a temporary condition while construction is in-progress. The York Water Company coordinated and received regulatory authorizations from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and the York County Conservation District for this milestone project.
- York Water is lowering the Lake Redman pool level by five feet to protect downstream workers and equipment in the Lake Williams Dam Renovation Project from storm events. Therefore, the Lake Redman Boat Launch is closed to trailered boats due to insufficient water level. However, carry in boats will continue to be allowed.
September 25, 2023:
Picture above: Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) being placed on the top of the dam during night shift on September 18, 2023.
September 19, 2023:
The top of the spillway’s mass concrete section is being poured. The final section of the spillway’s engineered weir will soon be formed up.
September 11, 2023:
Work has commenced on installing concrete on top of the dam’s crest.
August 30, 2023:
York Water’s Kevin Krueger and Tom Austin and Kent Baldwin of Gannett Fleming perform initial compliance testing of programming completed by technicians from Control Systems 21. These new electronic panels are slated to be installed at our new Lake Williams Dam Control Building.
August 21, 2023:
The last concrete replacement slab on the reservoir side of the dam face is being poured.
August 11, 2023:
The two brick gate houses that have faithfully stood and served the community for over 100 years at the toe of the Lake Williams Dam will soon be demolished to make way for new RCC armoring on the dam’s embankment.
August 2, 2023:
Above: The new labyrinth weir structures being constructed on the top of the spillway.
Above: The new power conduits that will supply all power to the site from the grid.
July 24, 2023:
Topsoil is being placed above the Spillway’s Left RCC Embankment wall. In the background, the labyrinth weir walls are being formed and poured with self-consolidating concrete. The dam’s new pre-cast control building has been set in place on the right embankment.
July 17, 2023:
Clearing of timber for future construction of the Water Street cul-de-sacs has begun. The work areas have been temporarily closed to the public with highly visible fencing.
July 12, 2023:
The Dam’s Control Building has been erected on site. The heavy-duty concrete precast roof is being set in place.
July 3, 2023:
The Left Transition Gravity Wall’s Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) is now uncovered from the curing process.
June 26, 2023:
The contractor continues concrete work on the spillway and the crest of the embankment.
June 12, 2023:
The left side Non-Overflow Section of the Dam’s Spillway has been topped out with RCC.
June 5, 2023:
The labyrinth spillway weir is under construction.
May 30, 2023:
The Lake Williams Dam Control Building electrical conduits are being installed prior to pouring the building’s concrete floor.
May 22, 2023:
Roller Compacted Concrete contractor crew members are working on the Left Abutment Non-Overflow section of the Dam under the watchful eyes of Consultants Ethan Miller and Don Rohrbaugh.
May 9, 2023:
Above, Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) is being placed on the Left Embankment area of the Spillway in lifts.
May 3, 2023:
In the picture above, Greg Goodling, a Kinsley Foreman, is using a GPS Rover to check the elevation of the drain fill base material being transported via telebelt. The work is taking place on the left embankment area of the spillway.
April 24, 2023:
The last section of 48-inch of pipe has been installed just upstream of the valve tower. Rebar and formwork are being installed in advance of pouring the encasement concrete.
April 18, 2023:
RCC is being compacted in the dam’s new spillway section during the night hours. An expansion joint across the lift is shown in the foreground.
April 12, 2023:
Due to higher temperatures, Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) placement work has moved to overnight hours between 5:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
April 5, 2023:
The Lake William’s Dam’s original 1911 core wall and new 2023 extension are slowly being covered with embankment material and will soon disappear from sight.
March 27, 2023:
The new section of steel-reinforced core wall has been installed to seal the gap between the 1911 original concrete core wall and the RCC right training wall of the spillway.
Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) is being compacted into place at the lowest level of the new dam’s spillway section.
March 20, 2023:
Electrical conduits are being installed in the Parapet Wall formwork on top of the dam in advance of concrete pouring. These conduits will carry wiring needed for electrical power and control systems needed for operation of valves, security cameras, and monitoring systems.
March 13, 2023:
The picture above shows an upward view of two sluice gates supporting thimbles that were installed in the walls of the Valve Tower structure at Lake Williams Dam. The openings at the top of the tower are clearly seen.
March 6, 2023:
Formwork is being set in place to pour the top section of the new interconnecting core wall.
February 23, 2023:
The new section of core wall is being formed up between the original 1911 core wall and the new Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) Right Gravity Training Wall.
February 15, 2023:
Construction work continues with cast-in-place concrete placement on the crest of the dam during the winter months of 2023.
January 30, 2023:
Ryan Sauder of Hillis-Carnes Engineering Associates is shown checking quality and preparing test cylinders of the conventional concrete being delivered to the Lake Williams Dam crest.
January 25, 2023:
Rotary drilling has commenced through the plinth’s preformed grout holes and into the metamorphic bedrock underlying the site. Simultaneously, temporary diversion structural walls are being formed up in the spillway.
January 17, 2023:
The temporary protective levee portable bag system is now being dismantled since the permanent right gravity training wall has now been constructed using Roller Compacted Concrete.
January 11, 2023:
The spillway’s bedrock has been drilled and anchors have been installed for the Plinth structure that was formed and poured with concrete. At the same time, the spillway’s right transitional gravity wall has been constructed with Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC). Preparations are currently underway on the Dam’s crest for work.
January 5, 2023:
The foundational Spillway Plinth section has been poured with conventional concrete.
Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) is being placed on the top section of the right transitional gravity wall along the new spillway.
December 28, 2022:
Work continues on the foundation for the new spillway, drilling anchors into bedrock and pouring concrete.
December 21, 2022:
Work continues on the dam’s plinth that will be foundational to the dam’s spillway and non-overflow section.
December 14, 2022:
Valve tower formwork has been removed and Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) is being laid on the right transition gravity wall. Anchors are being drilled into bedrock below the spillway’s plinth section.
December 8, 2022:
Kyle Steffee of Kinsley Construction works on smoothing the top RCC lift surface on the Spillway’s Downstream Right Training Wall section.
November 28, 2022:
The right transition gravity wall is starting to be backfilled in advance of additional RCC lifts that are scheduled for the end of this week and next week. The top of the valve tower has been poured and the formwork will soon be removed.
November 22, 2022:
The placement of Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) on the right training wall supporting structure continues this week and next week.
November 16, 2022:
A new blend of Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) is being placed on the new spillway right training wall. Simultaneously, in the background on the right, inclined anchors are being drilled into bedrock for the non-overflow wall section. On the left side of the photo, another crew is working on the valve tower’s top deck formwork.
November 8, 2022:
The original 1911 concrete core wall that was cut with a diamond tipped cable saw has been prepared with an imbedded flexible “water stop” component in preparation for connection into a new section of core wall to be installed.
November 2, 2022:
Preparation for the new dam’s labyrinth weir is underway with bedrock cleaning and “dental concrete” being poured. In the near future, a concrete plinth and starter wall will be formed and poured over this prepared foundation surface.
October 31, 2022:
Above is a drone image of Lake Williams Dam construction as of late October 2022. Roller-compacted concrete has been laid down on the right training wall foundation and rock is being prepared under the new spillway section. The valve tower continues to take shape.
October 26, 2022:
The stainless steel bar screen has been installed on the intake structure and formwork for the cantilevered valve tower deck is being prepared.
October 18, 2022:
Formwork for the valve tower’s cantilevered deck and preparation of the intake structure’s screens is taking place.
October 13, 2022:
The initial placement of Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) on the Lake Williams Dam downstream right training wall section it taking place.
October 5, 2022:
The valve tower’s third pour has been framed up for the next sectional pour. The 48” diameter pipe has been encased in concrete.
September 27, 2022:
York Water’s past President and CEO, and current Board member, Jeff Hines, visited the Lake Williams Dam site on September 23, 2022 to get a firsthand look at the new valve tower construction. Pictured with him is Vern McFadden, KCI Site Supervisor, and Steve Metzler, York Water Project Manager.
September 20, 2022:
Preparation to pour concrete in the outlet pipe encasement formwork on the bottom of Lake Williams is taking place.
September 15, 2022:
The new Lake Williams Dam valve tower’s second lift has been poured and the 48” diameter ductile iron outlet pipe is now visible behind the cofferdam.
September 7, 2022:
The dam’s valve tower second lift rebar has been prepared for the next concrete pour.
August 31, 2022:
Two sections of 48-inch diameter DIP outlet pipe are being connected by Steve Clingan, KCI, from the valve tower to the spillway.
August 25, 2022:
Fill material for the new 48” pipe that will be installed from the valve tower to the spillway is being placed.
August 17, 2022:
Work continues on the valve tower. The dam’s original 1911 core wall has been exposed for future connection to the new dam structure. Excavation of the left downstream area continues.
August 10, 2022:
The new dam’s valve tower foundation has been poured and rebar for the valve tower walls are being set. The original 1911 core wall with temporary bracing is in the background.
August 2, 2022:
Work on the concrete foundations of the inlet and valve tower structures is being done, as well as removal of the earth from the left side of the downstream embankment. Pictured above is the 48″ diameter inlet pipe structure that is being formed on the bottom of the reservoir.
July 26, 2022:
The bedrock at Lake Williams Dam is being prepared for the foundation of a valve tower. The remaining section of Water Street on top of the dam is being dismantled, and preparation to pour the foundation of the 48″ inlet structure is taking place.
July 19, 2022:
Lake Williams Dam’s original core wall constructed in 1911 has been exposed and cut with a diamond-tipped cable saw in preparation for incorporation into the new dam construction project.
Lake William’s bedrock is being cleaned for preparation of the first foundational concrete pour for construction of the new dam’s intake structure.
July 13, 2022:
For the first time since it was built 110 years ago, the center of the dam’s core wall is being exposed and is in remarkably good condition. This structure will be tied into the new dam armoring system.
July 6, 2022:
Vegetation that has been submerged for the majority of the past 110 years is once again visible in the lake bed of Lake Williams. The land that is now Lake Williams was once farmland in the 1900’s.
June 29, 2022:
A large, temporary cofferdam to divert excess stream flow is being built around the construction site. A “soil nail wall” to stabilize a sizable excavation on the left side of the dam was just installed, and dewatering wells that will be used to control groundwater levels during construction are being drilled.
June 20, 2022:
Installation of the top row of soil nails for the wall that is being constructed in the Lake Williams spillway area is currently underway.
June 7, 2022:
The spillway’s fill material has been mostly removed, exposing the top of weathered bedrock. Work continues on removing sections of Water Street over the top of the dam.
An operator is using a remote unit to control a Sonic drill unit to penetrate the very dense rock at Lake Williams to install a dewatering system around the construction zone.
May 25, 2022:
Demolition at Lake Williams Dam continues. The road over the dam has been removed, and excavation of the bedrock in the spillway will take place over the next several months. Soil materials from the dam and roadway are being relocated to the temporary stockpile in the old borrow pit from 1911.
May 13, 2022:
The roadway over Lake Williams Dam has been removed. Excavation of the bedrock in the spillway will take place over the next several months.
A haul route from Water Street and the spillway area to the spoils area within the reservoir has been completed.
April 20, 2022:
The 67-year-old Water Street bridge, piers, and bascule gates have been removed, and site preparation is underway for demolition of the dam’s spillway. Demolition of the spillway is scheduled to be completed by the middle of July 2022.
April 5, 2022:
Demolition and construction activities have officially begun. The existing bridge is currently being removed and dismantled.
WGAL Coverage of Kickoff of Demolition, April 6, 2022
York Daily Record Coverage of Kickoff of Demolition, April 6, 2022
March 21, 2022:
Detour signs have been removed from Water Street, but the Water Street bridge remains closed. Demolition and construction activities on Lake Williams Dam are expected to start on or after April 4, 2022 and continue through most of 2023. For more information on this project, please read the press release that was issued March 21, 2022.
March 2, 2022:
The Lake Williams Reservoir pool level is being lowered in preparation for the dam construction work that is scheduled to start in April of 2022. Currently, the reservoir level is 23.8 feet below full. The original borrow area used by workers during the dam’s construction in 1911 is now visible.
With the Lake Williams water level getting lower, there is a large amount of lake bed exposed. Please keep out of the lake bed. It is extremely dangerous to trespass on this newly exposed lake bed. Trespassers will be cited.
January 14, 2022:
Our contractor completed the temporary access road work on January 14, 2022. The site is now in hibernation for the rest of the Winter until early Spring, when demolition work on the bridge will commence.
November 3, 2021:
Preliminary site construction activities to install an access road on the south side of the Lake Williams Dam in Springfield Township started on November 3, 2021. This stone-based road will provide equipment access from the end of Water Street to the downstream of the dam area. The road will be used by and accessible only to York Water and contracted heavy construction equipment.
October 6, 2021:
Lake Williams reservoir has been lowered about 6 feet, in accordance with Fish and Boat Commission requirements. This lowering is necessary in order to start the planned work on the Lake Williams Dam. In 2022 and most of 2023, the Lake Williams reservoir will need to remain lowered for dam reconstruction. Because we can pull water for treatment from Lake Redman, your water supply and that of all York Water’s customers will not be affected by the temporary drawdown and construction at Lake Williams. Our investments in operational flexibility will allow us to continue to provide the same high-quality water that The York Water Company takes pride in delivering. However, we recognize that the temporary viewshed and appearance will not be typical.
April 9, 2021:
Geotechnical investigations on and around the dam have been completed. Design plans for renovation of the dam and spillway are being prepared by our engineering consultant. The Water Street Bridge remains closed to vehicle traffic.
December 8, 2020:
Geotechnical investigations are being conducted on and around Lake Williams Dam. This work is part of a major renovation project to enhance dam safety for the downstream public. York Water estimates the site investigations will continue to the end of 2020.
January 16, 2020:
York Water is in the midst of a three-phase dam improvement project that will span over several construction seasons. Phase 1 work has been completed and Lake Williams’ gates are now up, and the lake is at full capacity. We are awaiting DEP approval for Phase 2 work to reconstruct the dam’s spillway to current design standards. Once approval is granted, we will need to lower the water level 20 feet to complete the spillway construction work.
November 1, 2019:
Lake Williams is “full” to the bottom of the bascule gates. The gates are in the down position and will remain in the down position until after the Lake Williams Project is complete. The gates are 4′ high, so Lake Williams is 4′ below normal full elevation.
September 12, 2019:
The crossing on Water Street is now open to pedestrians, bicycles, and horses. The road remains closed to motorized vehicles.
Lake Williams is back open to boating and fishing. York Water has been working with the PA Fish and Boat Commission to begin the process of restocking the fish in Lake Williams.
July 3, 2019:
June 10, 2019:
The new sluice gates have been installed, and the contractor is currently working on the stems that will allow the gates to be operated from the top of the dam.
The interior of the outlet pipe has been cleaned and dried, and the contractor has started applying the lining material.
October 17, 2018:
As of September 7, 2018, Lake Williams is down 22 feet.
As of September 4, 2018, Water Street is closed until further notice. Construction mobilization and activities will begin mid-September 2018.
Download Other Information About This Project:
- July 10, 2018: Press Release
- May 2, 2018: Fishing Regulations Lifted on Lake Williams
- April 19, 2018: Press Release FAQs