By Janet Stoica

About three years ago Town Manager Jennifer Callahan held a public forum for town residents regarding the Lowes Pond Dam structure. The event was well-attended and also included state engineering representatives, local residents, and other town parties. At that time, the state had identified significant structural deficiencies requiring major upgrades to protect residents and businesses downstream. After extensive research, it was confirmed that the privately-owned dam had been abandoned for decades with no identifiable responsible owner of record. Oxford was selected to be the first community to participate in a state-funded pilot program to help municipalities repair abandoned dams.

“An overwhelming majority of attendees expressed support for the project and were excited for Oxford to collaborate with the respective state agencies to move forward with the project,” said Callahan. State and town officials continued to advance esign and construction documents and secure all necessary permits and approvals.

The state recently announced it expects to bid for construction in the coming summer weeks. The state’s estimated project cost is $4 million with an 8-12 month construction timeline.

According to the town manager’s report, the scope of work includes reconstructing the dam spillway’s 42 foot span, widening the spillway another 28 feet (total length of 70 feet), building a new reinforced concrete support wall, and constructing a new riverfront embankment.

Another major highlight of the project is that it would facilitate public access and enhance passive recreational use at the dam and in the immediate project area. Two new parking areas are part of the project as is a new pedestrian bridge which spans the modified spillway channel. The bridge connects the eastern and western parking areas along 6-foot-wide accessible pathways to avoid visitors walking along Huguenot Road.

Once completed the site would remain a public open space for the community to enjoy and Oxford will maintain it as part of its existing dam infrastructure.

“The long-term benefits of the Lowes Dam Project are significant. Particularly in the face of climate change, the newly constructed dam will improve the safety and quality of life for local residents and businesses well into the next century. It’s a win-win project in addressing an inherited Industrial Era problem,” concluded Callahan