Silver Lake Dam replacement project in Rochester

The Rochester City Council moved to approve a bid for the Silver Lake Dam modification project following delays related to state and federal permitting. While initial estimates for the project were approximately $15.1 million, the cost has risen, with a recommended bid from Rachel Contracting, LLC, totaling roughly $18.9 million. The city engineer estimated the total project cost at approximately $20.9 million, leading the city to budget over $21 million to include contingencies.

The project involves replacing the existing dam with a series of cascading pools and modifying the shoreline. Funding is being sourced from state funds, Rochester Public Utilities, the Stormwater Utility, and various flood control funds.

Construction has commenced on the nearly $19 million replacement. The dam, originally built in the 1930s, has a history of serving both recreational and utility purposes, including acting as a cooling reservoir for a power plant. The project follows a history of modifications necessitated by major flooding events, most notably the 1978 flood which overwhelmed the original structure.