Brightwood Dam Removal

Brightwood Lake is a 11.4 acre impoundment with a drainage area of 4.1 square miles and a Class 1 dam with several deficiencies. To address the dam deficiencies it was determined to remove the dam and restore Kellogg Creek. Our team was selected to restore 1,800 linear feet of Kellogg Creek in Concord Township Ohio. As a design-build project RiverReach Construction led the development of the guaranteed maximum price, removal of the dam, and construction of the restored creek.

A temporary breach was required to drain the lake and reduce the risk of a failure until the restoration was completed. The team coordinated directly with ODNR to develop an approach to the temporary breach. The sediment is a key consideration when restoring the creek as it dictates cost and project risk. The design team assessed the sediment depths and soil conditions to develop a sediment management plan and alternatives for the restoration.

The alternatives included the removal of all the sediment to refusal or partial removal of sediment with grade control structures. The project improvements provided an ecological uplift by improving water quality, habitat, and fish passage.