,

Flat Rock Dam Betterment

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Current Phase:

Start:

Spring 2022

Completion:

Estimated Early 2025

November 2024 Project Completion Update

The Flat Rock Dam Betterment Project (Project No. #60006) is approaching the end of its construction work. While the project was expected to complete construction by Fall 2024, work is now expected to be completed by Spring 2025. This is due to unforeseen delays throughout the 2.5 years of active work.

Helpful timeline information: 

  • Active construction will continue through the winter with the removal of the temporary cofferdam. 
  • There will be a series of safety and quality tests performed throughout the winter that will ensure the proper restoration of water flow to the Manayunk Canal.
  • New greenery will be planted in Spring 2025 during the April-June planting season. 

PWD will host a ribbon-cutting event in Late Spring 2025. There will be more information about this to come.

We thank the engineers, contractors, and the engaged community for their patience and support throughout this important project. For further details or questions, please feel free to reach out to our project team.

Read more about the history of the project.

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Overview

The Flat Rock Dam Betterment project will reconnect the Manayunk Canal with the Schuylkill River at Flat Rock Dam to improve local water quality.

The work includes the construction of new structures connecting the waterways, improvement of existing structures, and the stabilization and preservation of historic elements at the Feeder Gate House building. A new intake system will control the flow of water into the canal as needed.

Additional improvements at this site include:

  • Green infrastructure managing stormwater at the site
  • Improved security with perimeter fence
  • Educational signage and graffiti removal
  • Preservation and display of historic iron gearboxes through the Percent For Art program
  • Improved access for maintenance and cleaning at the site

There are no local roadway closures anticipated. Some portions of the Schuylkill River Trail in this area may have limited access during construction. There are no anticipated impacts on parking.

 

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Previous Project Updates

March 2024 SRT Reopening Update:

The closed trail section between the Manayunk Towpath and Shawmont will officially reopen on Saturday, March 30, 2024.

January 2024 SRT Closure Update:

Due to conditions at the site, work for the Flat Rock Dam Betterment project has been delayed. The concrete work that requires the trail closure has not been completed, and the trail closure will be extended through March 2024. The trail is now expected to reopen on March 30, 2024.

August 2023 Schuylkill River Trail Closure Announcement:

Starting on Monday, September 11, 2023, the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT) alongside the Flat Rock Dam between Leverington Ave. in Manayunk and Shawmont Station will be closed to all pedestrians and bikers.

Temporary suspension of trail use is necessary for pedestrian and biker safety as the work along the steep embankment is completed. This work requires concrete pouring that needs to occur during warmer weather, and cannot occur during the winter.

During this time, you will notice closure signs on both ends of the obstructed portion: one at the Shawmont Station at Shawmont Ave. and Nixon St., and one just below Leverington Ave. on the Manayunk Towpath. Walkers and bikers will be able to travel further on the SRT toward the worksite but will meet a dead end at the worksite and will be required to turn around.

See the mapped detour route here:

Read more about the closure on our recent blog post.

For worksite issues, contact:
For more information, contact:

Project Details

Project Type
Watershed
ZIP Code
Council District
Partner

Project Files

Flat Rock Dam Betterment Project SRT Closure - updatedJanuary 9, 2024

Updates

– Blog post highlighting tour, end of construction

Share blog post here:

Posted by:
Amy Hopf
Category:
Project Update

– November 2024 Project Completion Update

The Flat Rock Dam Betterment Project (Project No. #60006) is approaching the end of its construction work. While the project was expected to complete construction by Fall 2024, work is now expected to be completed by Spring 2025. This is due to unforeseen delays throughout the 2.5 years of active work.

Helpful timeline information: 

  • Active construction will continue through the winter with the removal of the temporary cofferdam. 
  • There will be a series of safety and quality tests performed throughout the winter that will ensure the proper restoration of water flow to the Manayunk Canal.
  • New greenery will be planted in Spring 2025 during the April-June planting season. 

PWD will host a ribbon-cutting event in Late Spring 2025. There will be more information about this to come.

We thank the engineers, contractors, and the engaged community for their patience and support throughout this important project. For further details or questions, please feel free to reach out to our project team.

Read more about the history of the project.

Posted by:
Amy Hopf
Category:
Project Update

– Tour with Younger Member Forum of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Philadelphia Section

The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) hosted a tour for the Younger Member Forum of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Philadelphia Section. PWD engineers and public engagement staff showed off an important part of the river’s history: the Flat Rock Dam and the connecting Manayunk Canal.

The tour was led by Ian McKane, Resident Engineer for the Flat Rock Dam project, and included:

  • History of the dam and canal and the project reconnecting it to the Schuylkill River
  • Access to construction site to see coffer dam, lock system
  • Details on the structural work surrounding the new engineering

Thank you YMF of ASCE for visiting!

Posted by:
Amy Hopf
Category:
Project Update

– Schuylkill River Trail closure update: Trail opening to public Sat, March 30

The trail section between Manayunk and Shawmont that was previously closed for the last 6 months will reopen this weekend on Saturday, March 30, 2024.

Temporary suspension of SRT trail use was necessary for pedestrian and cyclist safety as the work along the steep embankment was completed. Please note: the Flat Rock Dam Betterment project is still ongoing, and is expected to be complete in Fall 2024.

Read more on our recent blog post all about the SRT closure here.

– Schuylkill River Trail Closure Update: closure extended through March 2024

* Schuylkill River Trail Closure Update: *

Due to site conditions, work for the Flat Rock Dam Betterment project has been delayed.

The concrete work that requires the trail closure has not been completed, and the trail closure will be extended through March 29, 2024. The trail is now expected to reopen on March 30, 2024.

Learn more in our recent blog post about Flat Rock Dam.

Posted by:
Amy Hopf
Category:
Project Update

– Blog Post highlighting Flat Rock Dam

Read up on the Flat Rock Dam project, its anticipated closure, and detour information on our @Philly H2O Blog.

Posted by:
Amy Hopf
Category:
Project Update

– Schuylkill River Trail Closure Update: small section to close Mon, Sept. 11

* Schuylkill River Trail Closure Update: *

Starting on Monday, September 11, 2023, a small section of the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT) alongside the Flat Rock Dam between Leverington Ave. in Manayunk and Shawmont Station will be closed to all pedestrians and bikers.

The trail will be closed through the end of 2023. Temporary suspension of trail use is necessary for pedestrian and biker safety as the work along the steep embankment is completed. This closure will include all trail-impacting work activities for the remainder of the project.

During this time, you will notice closure signs on both ends of the obstructed portion: one at the Shawmont Station at Shawmont Ave. and Nixon St., and one just below Leverington Ave. on the Manayunk Towpath. Walkers and bikers will be able to travel further on the SRT toward the worksite but will meet a dead end at the worksite and will be required to turn around.

See the mapped detour route here:

Posted by:
Amy Hopf
Category:
Project Update

– Community meeting for Flat Rock Dam project

Join the Philadelphia Water Department for a community meeting for the Flat Rock Dam Betterment project currently in construction to improve water quality in the Manayunk Canal!

Date: Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023, 6:30 p.m.

Location: Venice Island Performing Arts Center, 7 Lock St, Philadelphia, PA 19127

Email Amy Hopf at Amy.Hopf@phila.gov with any questions.

Attendees are welcome to RVSP to the FRD Community Meeting Facebook event.

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