Dawson Lake Progress : May 22, 2009

Just thought you might like to see Dawson Lake construction getting underway this morning shortly after daybreak. Working on the road that will eventually cross the top of the dam.

- Richard Grist

Dawson Lake Progress : May 19, 2009

Below are some photos of the great progress Bob Chamberland and crew have made in the last three weeks. Today marks the completion of the preparation of the site to begin construction of the Keyway of the dam tomorrow.

- Richard Grist

{above} The large stockpile of high quality topsoil Bob salvaged during the clearing process.

{above} The settling pond that will be below the dam to catch runoff during construction.

{above} How Page Creek that will feed the lake was rerouted so construction of the dam can begin.

{above} Bob Chamberland and Paul Grist standing at what will be the deepest part of the lake at the base of the dam some 30 feet below the surface.

{above} Bob and his crew of skilled operators at the conclusion of the dam site area preparation phase. No woody debris can be left where the dam will be sited or in the soil used in building the dam as it could cause the dam to leak in years to come.

{above} Bob standing on about 1/3 of the amount of sand that will be used to build the internal drainage system of the dam.

Dawson Lake Progress : Apr 27, 2009

A beautiful spring morning at Dawson Lake with lots of projects in progress. The wetland construction is just about complete with the Hydroseeding of the wetlands grass mixture being done last Friday. The the tree planting in the new wetlands area got underway today with the crew planting bare root stock redbud, silver and red maple, sycamore, black willow, pin oak and river birch.

- Richard Grist

{above} Bob Chamberland standing near what will be the bottom of the lake at the base of the dam. The orange survey stakes delineate the key-way for the dam.

{above & below} The Terradon survey crew out shooting control points to maintain accuracy of the site plan.

Dawson Lake Progress : Apr 11, 2009

Another great week for the Chamberland Crew at Dawson Lake. Despite 3 days of snow and rain, lots was accomplished and steady progress was made. See more info below.

- Richard Grist

{above} Panorama of the dam site and upstream that is now ready for the crew to begin construction on the dam once weather conditions permit. Click the image to enlarge.

{above} The lower portion of the wetlands created in the old field area. The areas holding water were designed to do so to meet the Army Corp of Engineers wetland habitat requirements. The Red Wing Blackbirds and Spring Peepers flourish in this habitat.

{above} The downstream Weir that Bob designed at the stream outlet of the wetlands using native sandstone from the Muddy Creek Mountain Rock Quarry.

{above} A large pile of stumps in that Bob saved and plans to use in the lake bottom to create a great habitat for the fish to thrive in.

{above & below} The upper wetlands area that were created. Note how the original stream bed has been redesigned to meander back and forth across the area to create the wetland.

Dawson Lake Progress : Mar 23, 2009

Attached are a few pictures of the wetlands construction Bob Chamberland and crew are well underway with. This is very meticulous work and the experienced crew is doing a great job.

Also a few pictures of the installation of the new gate at the entrance.

- Richard Grist

ABOVE : The fellow on the right is Dave Daniels, the farm tenant on the Puckett farm.

ABOVE : The clean up job on one of the upper lots that Bob's crew did over the winter. Several lots have now been cleaned up and are ready to bring to market.

ABOVE : The west side of the lake road that was started late last fall and will be completed this year in conjunction with the construction of the dam.