From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Dam collapse in 1891

*Coincidentally this Turnback Tuesday photo came up in my Facebook memories today. It was originally posted on this date in 2016.

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This week’s “Turnback Tuesday” photo was taken in 1891, just after the Housatonic Dam collapse on January 22nd of that year. Due to faulty construction, a buildup of ice combined with a heavy freshet washed away approximately 250 feet of the dam. This photo was taken on the Derby side of the river, most likely along Roosevelt Drive.
Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

Seymour First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis issues Friday update on flood impact

               

"Good morning, Seymour. I provided an update on the impact of the flood on roads, businesses, and residents.

This update is about the Kinneytown Dam and the surrounding area. I hope this answers some questions and concerns.

Kinneytown Dam and Powerhouse:

At least two sections of flashboards failed.

Safety boom broke and most buoys are lost. Looks like it broke in the middle – both ends are still attached to the trees that it was anchored it to.

Floors wet in powerhouse, but likely due to leaky roof.

Rail:

The Waterbury Branch Rail Line was undermined just south of the dam. MNRR and DOT were on site and already bringing material in this afternoon. DOT Staff on site said there were other washouts on the line, although they did not see any others from the air in the vicinity of the Kinneytown facility.

The rail bed holds up the canal in this section, and about half of the bed had been washed away. Additional washout here could cause a breach in the canal.

Gatehouse:

There was moderate flow through the gates in the gatehouse into the canal, meaning that the sediment/debris plug likely shifted or was flushed out.

No signs that the river bypassed the gatehouse.

Coe Pond Dam:

No sign of overtopping, but continued erosion on the downstream slope near the rail evident, along with sediment flows.

Luckily no downed trees on forested section of the dam.

DOT and MNRR were on site and were waiting on FERC staff to do an inspection today. Will keep an eye on the docket for a report.

Unit 2:

North side of powerhouse flooded – unclear where the water came from.

The flood gates adjacent to the Unit 2 Powerhouse were closed during the storm. The flood gates were opened , and it did not look like floodwaters reached the bottom of the gates. Ansonia FD cut chains on the access gate to Unit 2 from N. 4th Street, and access gate near the flood gate in their efforts to close the flood gates.

Derby Avenue, Seymour

It looked like the River may have left its banks near the sewer pump station. There is a lot of silt surrounding the pump station and on Derby Ave. Also, there were some some high water marks on house foundations and steps just north of the pump station.

Further north near the cemetery, debris and bent vegetation indicated that the river did not leave its banks there but came close."

Shared from the Office of the First Selectwoman of Seymour Facebook page.

Buses to replace service on suspended Waterbury Line during repairs

The Waterbury Branch Rail Line was impacted by the flooding on Sunday. 

Service will be replaced by buses in both directions between Bridgeport and Waterbury until repairs to our infrastructure are completed. Bus service is now available at Seymour as roads in the area have reopened. 

Waterbury Branch commuters should build additional travel time into their schedules, check www.mta.info for bus departure times.

This post is shared from the Office of the First Selectwoman of Seymour Facebook page.

School supply drive slated Saturday at Derby Green

 

Griffin Health supports TEAM's Valley Flood Relief Fund

 

Hope and Healing for Our Neighbors

Griffin Health is supporting and spreading the word about TEAM Inc.'s Valley Flood Relief Fund, which provides direct assistance to Valley individuals and households impacted by the flood, including but not limited to modest levels of support for their personal health and safety, shelter, and/or other basic living needs.

If you can help, please visit www.griffinhealth.org/valleyflood to support our neighbors in need.

Shared from Griffin Hospital's Facebook page.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to hold 2-day therapeutic touch workshop

Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is promoting wellbeing in the community with a two-day Foundations of Therapeutic Touch workshop Sept. 20 from 4-8 p.m. and Sept. 21 from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Therapeutic Touch (TT) is an energy healing technique that is derived from the ancient practice of laying on of hands. It has been taught to thousands of health care professionals and can help reduce pain and anxiety, expedite healing, and increase overall feelings of well-being.

The purpose of this Basic Level TT Workshop is to explain the concepts and practice of TT, allowing ample time for hands-on practice. 

Participants must attend both workshop sessions to receive credit. The workshop is open to the public and there are no prerequisites to attend.

The workshop instructor, Holly Major, NP, MSN, QTTT, is an adult nurse practitioner and the TT Coordinator for Griffin Hospital. Major has been teaching TT since 2000 and is a qualified TT instructor through Therapeutic Touch International Associates, the international association of Therapeutic Touch.

Cost for the general public is $125, which includes all class materials. General public attendees are required to become a Griffin Hospital volunteer and give 50 hours of service prior to receiving their completion certificate. 

Griffin Hospital employees and current volunteers can register for free.

The deadline to enroll is Sept. 13. 

For more information or to enroll contact Wendy Farrington at 203-732-7434 or wfarrington@griffinhealth.org.

Griffin offers TT to its patients as a way to reduce stress and promote healing. This training program is part of Griffin’s ongoing effort to transform healthcare by not only treating illness, but also helping people stay healthy. Griffin actively empowers individuals to play an active role in their health and wellbeing by providing them with information, tools, and support to prevent, or proactively manage chronic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, depression, and stress.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: St. Mary's School in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a photo of the cast of the play "Spider Island," performed by students of St. Mary's School in March of 1946.

This great photo was previously posted on this date in 2017. Recognize anyone?

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.