As the spring weather continues, the Design Team and its contractors remain engaged in several activities on the canal.
Upcoming Work
Sediment Studies: We will collect sediment throughout the canal for testing. These samples will guide the Design Team to determine the appropriate remedy for the corresponding area.
Measuring Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (NAPL) Movement: We will probe the sediment near the Citizens former Manufactured Gas Plant to identify areas beneath the canal floor that have NAPL. These findings will also aid in the remedy-selection process for areas where NAPL migration may occur.
Determine Sediment Characteristics: Starting in the upper canal, we will gather over 40 sediment samples. The samples will help us learn about the sediment’s composition including the rate at which water travels through it, if it changes in volume and its density. We will use this information to develop a model that will simulate groundwater flow in different remedial design options.
Sampling Wells: We will install temporary wells within the sediment of the upper and middle reaches of the canal to evaluate Groundwater Upwelling. After gathering the samples, they will be sent to a laboratory for testing. We will use the findings to confirm results from the field-screening used for NAPL movement study.
Ongoing Work
Temporary Dock: We completed the installation of a floating dock northeast of Huntington Street on the western bank of the canal. The dock will be used for smaller watercraft and light field work associated with pre-design and pilot study activities on the canal.
Groundwater Studies: We have been and will continue to collect data to better identify locations of groundwater upwelling.
We will continue using probes to look for abnormal water temperatures in the sediment of the canal. The specialized probes are able to gather samples and evaluate water as deep as three-feet beneath the canal bottom. Abnormal temperatures may indicate areas where groundwater is seeping into the canal. These findings will show specific locations where divers may continue to measure the rate of groundwater upwelling.
We will perform tests to evaluate sediments on the canal floor. Automated sensors also will monitor water pressure at different depths beneath the canal to gauge the amount of groundwater being discharged into it.
