DRYDEN, N.Y. (WBNG) — A three-million-dollar investment in the Town of Dryden is helping rebuild a dam while protecting the ecosystem and recreational activities.
Created in the 1800s, Dryden Lake has been a staple in the community for nearly two centuries.
During this time, the dam that holds the lake together has seen better days.
However, thanks to the help of advocates and local lawmakers, they have helped make sure it gets a new life.
“We heard from so many segments of this community that this resource needs to be preserved,” said Village of Dryden Deputy Supervisor Dan Lamb.
The Department of Environmental Conservation is leading the project, ensuring that it will get replaced.
“It’s really important and something that we need to invest in,” said Region 7 Director for the New York State DEC Dereth Glance. “We really take this very seriously and really appreciate the investment and the intention to be able to invest in these generational assets so that we can pass them on to future generations.”
The plan is to update the structure, making it out of concrete and utilizing New York Works Capitol Program funding to help pay for the cost.
It will help avoid the environmental damage that could happen if the dam collapses and protect the wildlife.
“The fish population, amphibian population, the fact that we do have ducks singing behind us, just shows how incredibly important it is to this area,” said Assemblymember Dr. Anna Kelles. “We have migratory birds that come through this area. So, to have lost this lake here really would have been a tremendous loss to our ecosystem.”
As of right now, the project is in its beginning stages, and a bid for construction will be going out by the end of the year.
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