Darien Officials OK Funding For Gorham's Pond Dam Repairs

DARIEN, CT — Officials this week approved funding and a bond authorization to repair the Gorham's Pond Dam which was damaged by remnants of Hurricane Ida in September 2021.

The Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance both unanimously approved $3,345,900 for the repair work, which is eligible to receive up to 100 percent reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Together, the Gorham's Pond Dam and Rings End Road Bridge, which sits directly above the dam, are iconic landmarks and symbols in Darien. The dam has been in place for well over a century, and it impounds river water from Stony Brook, Goodwives River, and tidal waters of Long Island Sound.

On Sept. 1 2021, remnants of Hurricane Ida hit the dam during low tide and scoured the structure's base, exposing its soft core made of glacial till, Oustfine said.

"Without the rock armoring, it left the dam exposed to further damage from the ebb and flow of the tide," Assistant Director of Darien Public Works Darren Oustafine added.

Additionally, the Rings End Road Bridge may be at risk without protection of the dam from scour, Director of Public Works Ed Gentile said in a memo to the selectmen.

In April 2022, the town obtained emergency authorization to make temporary repairs to the dam, which included the installation of filter fabric and some stone ballast to reinforce the face of the dam and keep it from eroding.

Any reimbursement will come once the work is done, according to Oustafine, who told the selectmen he is continuing to go through the reimbursement process with FEMA.

"We have to fully fund the project in order to be considered for FEMA reimbursement. There are no guarantees, but we continue to seek 100 percent reimbursement from FEMA," Oustafine said.

Should the Representative Town Meeting grant final approval on the funding, work can begin on the project.

This week's Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance meetings are available to watch on demand on Darien TV79