The Schoharie Reservoir

Stream Control
Under Construction

Content and photos to come from GHS Quarterly winter 2012m v. 14.4 

Coffer Dams

The Board of Water Supply used 2 coffer dams to keep the construction site free of water. One was upstream of the construction site and the other was below the construction site.

The two coffer dams were connected by two 9-foot-diameter pipes. The water flowing downstream would be dammed above the construction site, could only flow downstream through the two pipes, and then would be let out below the second coffer dam. 

Coffer dams in practice

  • The up-stream coffer dam was begun at end of 1920 spring
  • this is one-half of the upper cofferdam and shows its timber crib made of 12 to 30 inch diameter timbers
  • once this half was concreted, the other portion could be built and concreted
  • a 20’ gap was left in the middle
  • the lower cofferdam would then be constructed, and
  • steel pipes placed into position and concreted in
  • Finally the center gap on both bridges could be filled with a step-down opening.
  • This system was operational by the fall of 1920
  • This picture from 1921 shows how the coffer dam arrangement was integrated into the entire construction site, with pipes in place taking water from the upper cofferdam to the lower through the dam’s foundation
  • However, everything doesn’t necessarily go according to plan. Floods overtopped the coffer-dams and flooded the work area 6 times in the 2.5 years of operation.
  • These incidents caused a total loss of 104 hours, an equivalent of 4.25 days out of 912 days workedH

GILBOA MUSEUM OPEN
12 TO 4 Saturday and Sundays
Memorial Day to Columbus Day.

MUSEUM TOURS-ON-CALL
(607) 588-6894 to set up a tour.  

Map for the Gilboa Museum.

September, 2024

• Wednesday, 9/18 at 6: Bobby Curious
click here
After Bobby and refreshments, we will discuss the purchase of the museum property, plans for the addition under construction, and the near-total renovation of the 2024 exhibits. We will also cover next month’s annual meeting, changes to the by-laws, and status of our upcoming board elections.

• Thursday, 09/19, a lunchtime visit by the Mountaintop Seniors, with Museum resource people at each area display.

• Saturday, 9/21, 10 a.m.:
GILBOA NATURALIST PROGRAM

EASY ACCESS! 

REGISTER TO ATTEND
(607) 437 7132
kristen.wyckoff@yahoo.com

A field trip to Cairo quarry. The oldest fossil forest in the world, hosted by Dr. Chuck Ver Straeton, Geologist from the NY State Museum.
     We will also be shown geological outcroppings in the area.
     MEET at Gilboa Museum to depart at 10:00 for Cairo 
     OR meet at the Cairo Highway Department garage,  755 Route 145, Cairo, NY  at 10:40 am.
     For information call Kristen Wyckoff at (607) 437 7132 or email her at kristen.wyckoff@yahoo.com

• Saturday, 9/28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Amy Silberkleit  print-making workshop
Click here

October, 2024
• Wednesday, 10/16, 6 p.m.:
Annual Meeting of Gilboa Historical Society & election of board members.

• Saturday, 10/19/ 1 p.m. Bob & Johanna Titus talk about the geologic basis of Catskill Mountains art

November, 2024
• Sunday, 11/17, 11 a.m.:
Holiday Boutique at Gilboa Museum.

• Wednesday, 11/20, 6 p.m.: General program TBA.

December, 2024
• Wednesday, 12/11, 6 p.m.:
Raffle and Bottle Auction and a pot luck dinner. 

The Board of Gilboa Historical Society meets at 1:00 p.m. on the 4th Wednesday of each month.

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Gilboa Fossils and the Devonian ecology
Gilboa Fossils, a site of the Gilboa Historical Society.

Nicholas J. Juried History Center
Gilboa Village (under construction)
Gilboa Reservoir (under construction)

Map for the Gilboa Museum 

Communications between you and the Society is key to your enjoyment and our success.
     You can type out your information on this form, save it to your desktop, and email it or print it out and send it to the Society (PO Box 52, Gilboa, NY 12076)
     Our annual membership is based on an anniversary date established when we process your check. A renewal would simply add 12 months to the projected expiration date, while lapsed memberships are seen as new ones without penalty for the lapse.

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  • Gift shop discounts of 10% on all sales.

 

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