Project Background

BackgroundIllustration of Combined Sewer Overflows during dry and wet weather conditions

Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) are a mixture or rainwater and wastewater that negatively impact water quality and are subject to national pollution requirements (NPDES), and the Clean Water Act. The Albany Pool Communities (APCs) represent six Capital District municipalities (Albany, Cohoes, Rensselaer, Troy and Watervliet and the Village of Green Island) that collectively own and operate CSOs that discharge to the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, and their tributaries.

Project Construction

The bulk of construction activity will occur in the northwest corner of Lincoln Park, as well as along S. Hawk and Third Avenue. Construction will occur in multiple phases from April 2021 until March 2023. Detailed construction schedules and impacts will be updated throughout the Project.

Graphic Phases

Lincoln Park Bowl Field Improvement

The Project provides the opportunity to make improvements to the Bowl Athletic Fields in Lincoln Park, as identified in the Lincoln Park Master Plan. Learn more.

DRAFT Design of the Ravine GardenProposed Beaver Creek Treatment Facility Location Map

The Project proposes to improve the ravine in Lincoln Park by creating a new garden/park in the ravine. The ravine is currently overgrown, inaccessible, and experiences sink holes and sewer discharges (causing odor). Tree removals for the Project began in April 2021. 

Watch a YouTube Virtual Walk-Through Video that shows the ravine (in 2018) and the first proposed conceptual plan. After feedback was provided, an Updated Design of the Garden (PDF) (10/1/18) was created and reviewed by a Community Advisory Committee. With the Garden's design having an emphasis on education, a Comprehensive Signage Plan (PDF) has also been drafted. The current design is still in draft form. Continued community input and re-engagement with a community advisory committee on the design of the Garden will continue upon the approval of financing (anticipated during 2022).

Long Term Control Plan

The APCs joined together in a comprehensive inter-municipal venture, led by the Capital District Regional Planning Commission (CDRPC), to develop a regional CSO Long Term Control Plan (LTCP). The LTCP was finalized and approved by NYS DEC in 2014, and has an 15 year implementation period.

One of the projects required in the LTCP is the Beaver Creek Clean River Project. The Project will provide for the treatment of combined sewer overflows from the Beaver Creek Sewer District, which is the largest contributor of overflows to the Hudson River in the Capital District. The Project will screen and disinfect over 300 million gallons of flow annually to greatly reduce bacteria counts and significantly improve the water quality of the Hudson River.

Funding

The Project is a component of the LTCP that has an overall cost of approximately $55 million. These costs were estimated in the LTCP that was approved by NYS DEC, and the Albany Pool Communities in early 2014. A  large portion of the project was funded through low-cost State Revolving Fund financing and a $10 million Intermunicipal Grant administered by the Environmental Facilities Corporation and a $5 million Grant from NYS DEC.

View the Preliminary Design Report for the Big C Disinfection and Floatables Facility (PDF).

Community Advisory Committee

Community Advisory Committee meetings related to the Beaver Creek Clean River Project were held on August 13, 2018 and October 1, 2018 in the Mayor's Conference Room at City Hall. Summaries of the meetings are available:

Future dates for committee meetings are to be determined.