Since 2020, Franklin Surveys has served as the primary land surveying company for one of Connecticut’s most significant dam removal projects in history: the Collins Company Lower Dam on the Farmington River along the Avon-Burlington border.
Preserving History While Restoring the River
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is leading the effort to remove the defunct hydroelectric facility to restore natural river flow and habitats. The removal process requires thorough planning to comply with federal historic preservation, as the entire dam complex is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
Mapping Complex Terrain and Boundaries
Led by Franklin Surveys owner, Kevin Franklin, PLS, Franklin Surveys plays a vital role in supporting their client, Princeton Hydro, a nature-based solutions company for watershed management and ecological restoration. The company is based out of New Jersey, with a local office in South Glastonbury, CT.
Early phases of the project required extensive coordination across multiple stakeholders. Franklin Surveys began by conducting comprehensive boundary surveys for several large state-owned parcels.
Because regional energy provider Eversource and the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) maintain public walking trails and utility easements throughout the site, the team worked with project coordinators, the MDC, and DEEP to research historical land maps and pinpoint existing underground utility infrastructure.
In addition to boundary lines, Franklin Surveys performed detailed topographic mapping of the dam infrastructure and complex river cross-sections. This specialized work included charting the longitudinal profile of the river thalweg and locating nearby features such as bridge crossings, access roads, and walkways.
Laying the Groundwork for the Future
The work resulted in a detailed digital map that serves as the base for the design and planning of the dam removal. Franklin Surveys continues to support the on-going project. Most recently, the team completed an updated topographic and right-of-way survey along a nearby road in Avon to ensure access for construction.
Sources:
Collins Company Lower Dam Removal – PRINCETON HYDRO
Historical preservation key in CT DEEP’s proposed dam removal project
