The Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority (CPPDA) is requesting proposals from qualified firms to sample, assess, and model the distribution, fate, and transport of Potomac River sediments in connection with the proposed removal of an industrial dam located under the Blue Bridge that connects Cumberland, Maryland, to Ridgeley, West Virginia. The removal of the dam (known variously as the “Blue Bridge Dam,” “Cumberland Industrial Dam,” “Potomac River Industrial Dam,” or here “Dam”) would be carried out in connection with the development of the River Park at Canal Place—a planned outdoor recreational amenity consisting of a whitewater park and associated shoreline features. The selected contractor would be responsible for conducting the sediment assessment and modeling and applying for and obtaining the necessary State and federal permits necessary to remove the Dam and construct the River Park (i.e. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), etc.).
The proposed sediment study would include four principal components: (1) sample the sediment both above and below the Dam for the presence of contaminants, including dioxin; (2) model the fate and transport of the sediment both during and after removal of the Dam; (3) conduct pore water sampling of the sediment and a fish tissue toxicity assessment to determine the risk of environmental and ecological contamination; and (4) recommend how best to manage the sediment responsibly. Because the analysis and recommendations generated by the study will be used in connection with obtaining the permits required to remove the Dam, the selected contractor thus must employ geospatial models of the concentration, distribution, hydrodynamic fate and transport of the sediment that are sufficiently sophisticated to withstand close regulatory scrutiny.
The affiliated whitewater park design, which includes riverbank and channel modifications, is not included in this scope.
About River Park
The River Park at Canal Place is situated in Cumberland, Maryland, and includes property in both Maryland and West Virginia. It encompasses approximately 2 miles along the Potomac River, including the adjacent shorelines up to the top of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) levee. This 2-mile stretch is located approximately 0.5 miles upstream of the Blue Bridge and extends 1.5 miles downstream to the Carpendale Trestle.
Adjacent to River Park, numerous historic properties, including the C&O Canal Towpath National Historic Park and the National Road, offer cultural significance. Additionally, tourism opportunities abound with the presence of the Great Allegheny Passage trail and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.
Please read the complete RFP and Appendices before submitting a bid.
The RFP can be found here
The Appendices for the RFP are:
Appendix A – Preliminary Engineering Report December 2024
