Johnson Dam Breached...now with video!

At about 9:30am this morning, construction crews from Flyway Excavating began the job of dismantling the Johnson Park Dam in the City of Bethlehem.  The project is being overseen by CPS of Harrisburg.  In order to start the draw- down of water from behind the dam, an excavator with a pneumatic hammer was used to break through the top layer of concrete, creating a notch about 6' wide.  At this point the force of the water flowing through the breach moved many of the stacked stones on the lower level of the dam.  After the
water receded a few few feet,  the hammer was replaced with a bucket and the excavator moved around behind the dam where the operator made the hole larger still.  This process will continue, with the excavator making a pathway of sorts with crushed stone out into the stream, so he can reach the far side of the dam. (CLICK READ MORE BELOW FOR MORE PICTURES and a short video!)

Johnson dam Breach pt1 from Erik Broesicke on Vimeo.