2019 Ice Pond Road Inspection Report 3-30-20Robert E. Mellstrom, P.E.
10 Maple Street
Plainfield, MA 01070
413 634-2182
bob.mellstrom@gmail.com
March 30, 2020
Dan Desmond
The Ice Pond Association
49 Ice Pond Drive
Florence, MA 01062
Re: 2019 Inspection Report for the Ice Pond Storm water Management System,
Ice Pond Subdivision, Northampton, Massachusetts
Dear Dan,
The following is my engineering report on the operation and maintenance of the Storm Water Management System for the Ice Pond Subdivision, located off Rocky Hill Road (Rt. 66), adjacent
to and west of the Hampshire County Jail.
This letter report is based on discussions with you, my field observations and inspection of Storm water management facilities on March 27, 2020. The inspection and report were delayed
until Spring 2020 because winter snow cover did not allow for proper inspection in late November / early December.
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
The Storm Water Management System consists of the following:
Two Stormceptor®treatment structures, model No. STC 450, “Inlet” design.Stormceptor® number 1 is located in the driveway to No. 19 and No. 23 Ice Pond Drive and Stormceptor® number 2
is located in the driveway to No. 55 Ice Pond Drive. All collected storm water from the 6 Ice Pond Drive catch basins flows through one of these structures. These structures are designed
to separate floatables and suspended solids from storm water flow for periodic collection and proper disposal; thereby, removing such materials from the storm water runoff.
Two Level Lip Spreaders. Spreader 1 is located on Lot No. 27 behind house number 23 and Spreader 2 is located on Lot No. 28 behind house number 55. Flow from each Stormceptor® is piped
to a Spreader. The Spreaders are designed to collect sediments, act as a detention basin, allow infiltration and distribute overflow equally over the length of the spreader; thereby
avoiding concentrated runoff.
Ice Pond Detention Basin. The former Ice Pond, which is now drained, and once provided ice for the nearby State facilities is located east of Ice Pond Drive and north of Rocky Hill Road.
Ice Pond Drive Subdivision is within a larger watershed area that flows to the Ice Pond. The Ice Pond Association now has the responsibility for maintaining two existing Ice Pond structures:
the lower debris rack and outlet structure and the upper overflow structure. These structures are located on Lot No. 29 on the north side of Rocky Hill Road, Rt. 66.
During heavy runoff events, runoff to the Ice Pond may back-up and fill the pond area which acts as a large detention basin. Under extreme flow conditions, the water level could reach
the overflow structure. Normally, runoff to the Ice Pond enters a culvert at the outlet structure which passes under Rocky Hill Road with no back-up.
STORM WATER SYSTEM OPERATION and MAINTENANCE
Stormceptor®Treatment Chambers. Both treatment chambers were last cleaned by pumping on December 9, 2016 by VacTone Environmental Services. Since the last December 2018 inspection, no
noticeable sediment has accumulated in the treatment chamber above the sump and shelf in either structure. Please note that the screens had been previously removed to prevent clogging
and allow for the collection of more sediment.
These structures are operating properly as indicated by the lack of sediment and debris in the Level Lip Spreaders.
It was the recommendation of this yearly report in 2018 that these structures be inspected yearly and cleaned as necessary in accordance with the Owner’s Manual for Model No. STC 450,
when sediment accumulation exceeds 8 inches.
Inspection on March 27, 2020, using a “sludge stick”, revealed ≈ 3” of sediment in a 5’-2” sump inStormceptor® No.1 and ≈ 12” of sediment in a 5’-2” sump in Stormceptor® No. 2. Based
on the amount of sediment detected during this recent inspection, cleaning is recommended prior to the next scheduled inspection. Maintenance; however, should be performed immediately
after an oil spill.
Inspection and cleaning of catch basins is also an important part of storm water system maintenance and should be performed yearly and cleaned as necessary. It is my understanding that
cleaning of the catch basins is the responsibility of the City of Northampton.
Level Lip Spreaders. Both of the Spreaders are in good condition and well maintained. Growth within the spreaders was recently cut and removed. It is recommended that this continue annually,
after the growing season in the fall. No noticeable sediment or debris has accumulated in the spreaders, which is an indication that the Catch Basins and Stormceptors® are operating
properly. If any accumulation occurs, it should be removed annually and properly disposed.
Ice Pond Debris Rack and Outlet Structure. The Debris Rack was mostly clear with a limited accumulated leaves on the sides at the time of my inspection on March 27, 2020. Flow in the
brook was entering the culvert without back-up.
The Ice Pond Association has a contract with a local landscaper to clean the Debris Rack monthly and after significant rainfall events which appears to be adequate to prevent significant
backup.
Ice Pond Overflow Structure. This structure appears to be operating properly and the grate covering the opening is secure. This structure is also inspected monthly.
Going forward, if acceptable to the City, I recommend that the annual inspection and report be performed in the Spring after snow cover has disappeared and before foliage appears. This
would allow for improved observation of the level lip spreaders and Ice Pond area and structures.
Attached are photos of the Storm water management structures taken during the field inspections and on March 27, 2020. Should there be any questions, please contact me at the addresses
listed above.
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert E. Mellstrom P.E.
Owner