Several readers have asked about the status of the Broad Ripple dam. The poor condition of the dam has been mentioned at public meetings for the Central Canal bank stabilization project. I contacted Lu Ann Baker and Paul Whitmore of Veolia Water for an update.

The Broad Ripple dam is located in the White River at about 65th Street. The timber and concrete construction low-head dam dates back to the 1880's. The purpose of the dam is to force water down the Central Canal which has its opening onto the White River a few hundred feet south. Initially the canal was intended to be part of a statewide system of waterways to promote commerce. The project was halted when the canal reached downtown, as the expenses threatened to bankrupt the state. Currently the canal is the conveyor of nearly 60% of the drinking water supply for Indianapolis.

Paul Whitmore, Communications Manager for Veolia Water, explained that temporary repairs were made to the concrete downstream apron of the dam in late September and early October. Rows of articulated concrete mats were applied to the apron and tied together with cables to provide a temporary refacing of the deteriorating structure. These mats are intended to keep the damage from expanding.

"The longer term plan is to replace the dam at some point in the future," said Whitmore. "It is too soon to say relocate or anything like that. Those [details] will come from the engineering and permitting processes. As that happens, those things will be evaluated. Other than that, there is not anything on the books, other than there is a need [for repair/replace] in the five-year [water utility] capital plan. Once the funding is available then the process of determining all that would begin."

Whitmore said that another temporary repair is planned for this summer. It would further improve the stability of the dam and help control further damage. Before the permanent structural repair/replacement would be performed, public meetings would be held to inform residents. There may also be public meetings for the mid-year temporary fix, to plan the movement of construction equipment in and out of the site.