Shipley’s Choice Dam Rehabilitation Project
Updated 14 July 2020

As of 19 June 2020, W Benfield Rd has re-opened to traffic!
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In an effort to keep the community updated on the construction project to remove the Shipley’s Choice Dam, this page will be updated periodically to reflect the currently known status of the project as it is reported to the Community Association. 

Recent Activites

Upcoming Work
  • The Phase 1 work at West Benfield Road was completed. Final tasks included grading and paving the road, installing stone ditches, plantings along the stream, and seeding. The road was reopened to traffic on June 19th.
  • Work continues on Phase 2 construction at the dam site. After installing numerous trench drains to collect hillside seepage, Paydirt began excavating the dam embankment with the top 8 feet removed without incident. Below that, Paydirt encountered wet clay material in the dam, which was expected given the seepage issues the dam has experienced for years. However, this has slowed progress as the material must be dried before it can be placed and compacted on the hillside. The wettest material is being hauled offsite.

Dam Construction Site

NO TRESPASSING! Residents should not enter the construction site at any time. Orange mesh fence and no trespassing signs were added along the construction entrance at Oak Stump Drive. Residents are also reminded not to block the construction entrance.

West Benfield Road Upgrades

With work finishing up at West Benfield Road, residents have asked about adding sidewalks, bike lanes, and traffic calming devices as part of the final road construction. These features were not included in the Shipley’s Dam Project. However, the Shipley’s Dam Project plans do identify curb and sidewalk as possible future additions along this section of West Benfield Road. Adding these features and traffic calming measures requires study and design by the County’s Traffic Engineering Division before they can be implemented.
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​A conference call is scheduled on July 21st between the County and HOA/Neighborhood reps to discuss possible upgrades and safety features for West Benfield Road. A meeting summary will be included in the next Shipley’s Dam Project Update.​
  • July 2020
    • Paydirt will continue dam removal and excavate the new stream channel
  • August 2020
    • Removal of dam inlet/outlet structures/outlet pipe & final dam excavation
  • September 2020
    • Final grading, plantings & seeding

​North Fork Bear Branch Stream Restoration

This project includes the restoration of 3600 linear feet of stream and the retrofit/decommissioning of BMP 4449, a stormwater management embankment/pipe just west of Rustling Oaks Drive and Fawn Haven Court. The project area extends from Benfield Boulevard upstream to Red Birch Road.

Engineering Consultant Brown and Caldwell completed the 30% project design. The County will soon award a contract to another Consultant to complete the design and contract documents for the project. With the change in consultants, it is now anticipated that construction will begin in 2023.

A community meeting will be scheduled in the future to discuss the project design and solicit comments from the community.

Construction Photos