HISTORIC REPORTS
Over the years we have compiled various maps and reports relating to the filling of Boston and the subsequent wood piling issues. Below is a brief description and the actual reports of this compilation.
Back Bay Boston, Part I: Geology of the Back Bay, Harl P. Aldrich Report, 1970
Excerpt:
This paper concerns the Back Bay, a former tidal estuary in Boston which was filled a century ago to create land for an expanding population. In Part I of the paper, the geology of the Back Bay and subsurface soil conditions are described.
This paper concerns the Back Bay, a former tidal estuary in Boston which was filled a century ago to create land for an expanding population. In Part I of the paper, the geology of the Back Bay and subsurface soil conditions are described.
Back Bay Boston, Part II: Groundwater Levels, Aldrich and Lambrechts Report, 1986
Excerpt:
The second in a series of studies on Back Bay, this article summarizes groundwater levels in Back Bay since the area was filled more than 100 years ago, and traces the effects of construction of sewers and drains, subways and other transportation corridors, and buildings on the groundwater table.
The second in a series of studies on Back Bay, this article summarizes groundwater levels in Back Bay since the area was filled more than 100 years ago, and traces the effects of construction of sewers and drains, subways and other transportation corridors, and buildings on the groundwater table.
Investigation of Subsoil and Foundation Conditions (1963)
Excerpt:
The report shall contain recommendations and estimates in regard to the building of economical types of foundations and shall include information on the feasibility of chemical treatment of the soil for the purpose of stabilization, particularly as this data relates to the types of structures proposed in areas of now construction. These recommendations shall be related to the various soil conditions disclosed by the gathering and analysis of the subsoil and boring data.
The report shall contain recommendations and estimates in regard to the building of economical types of foundations and shall include information on the feasibility of chemical treatment of the soil for the purpose of stabilization, particularly as this data relates to the types of structures proposed in areas of now construction. These recommendations shall be related to the various soil conditions disclosed by the gathering and analysis of the subsoil and boring data.
Report on Groundwater in Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts (1985)
Excerpt:
This study of groundwater levels in Back Bay Boston was prepared by Haley & Aldrich, Inc. for the Boston Redevelopment Authority in accordance with a contract dated 14 May 1984. The area of Back Bay under study is bounded by Storrow Drive,Massachusetts Avenue, Washington Street and Charles Street.
This study of groundwater levels in Back Bay Boston was prepared by Haley & Aldrich, Inc. for the Boston Redevelopment Authority in accordance with a contract dated 14 May 1984. The area of Back Bay under study is bounded by Storrow Drive,Massachusetts Avenue, Washington Street and Charles Street.
Stone and Webster Report, 1990
Stone and Webster Civil and Transportation Services Corporation performed a study for the BGwT and the Department of Inspectional Services. The study area included the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Back Bay, Chinatown, Fenway and the South End.
The Impact of Stormwater Recharge Practices on Boston Groundwater Elevations,
Brian F. Thomas and Richard M. Vogel
Brian F. Thomas and Richard M. Vogel
Abstract: Over the past century, the City of Boston has periodically experienced a decline in groundwater elevations and the associated deterioration of untreated wood piles, which support building foundations. To combat declining water tables, Boston enacted a groundwater conservation overlay district enforced by city zoning boards to require storm water recharge practices for any activity that triggers the zoning bylaw.
Report as presented January 29, 2011 (PDF)
Slides as presented January 29, 2011 (PDF)
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, Aug. 2012, version (PDF)
Slides as presented January 29, 2011 (PDF)
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, Aug. 2012, version (PDF)
Wooden Foundation Piles and its Underestimated Relevance for Cultural Heritage, René K.W.M. Klaassen, Jos G.M. Creemers
Excerpt:
For centuries, wooden pile constructions support buildings in areas with unstable soils in Europe, and many other parts of the world. Depending on the local soil conditions and the building above, pile foundations differ in construction type, pile length, timber species and timber quality applied and the degree of conservation. It is estimated that millions of wooden foundation piles are still in service, carrying small buildings like family houses, or bigger buildings like churches and palaces or constructions in water-like quay walls or bridges. Many of these buildings are old and therefore wooden foundations are an important asset for cultural heritage.
For centuries, wooden pile constructions support buildings in areas with unstable soils in Europe, and many other parts of the world. Depending on the local soil conditions and the building above, pile foundations differ in construction type, pile length, timber species and timber quality applied and the degree of conservation. It is estimated that millions of wooden foundation piles are still in service, carrying small buildings like family houses, or bigger buildings like churches and palaces or constructions in water-like quay walls or bridges. Many of these buildings are old and therefore wooden foundations are an important asset for cultural heritage.
The Problem of Groundwater and Wood Piles in Boston: “An Unending Need for Vigilant Surveillance”
Excerpt:
The stately rowhouse buildings in many areas of Boston were founded on wood piles in the 1800s. Preservation of wood pile foundations requires that groundwater levels remain high enough to inundate the tops of wood pile foundations. This has become a major problem in some areas of the Back Bay, the South End and Fenway neighborhoods of Boston.
The stately rowhouse buildings in many areas of Boston were founded on wood piles in the 1800s. Preservation of wood pile foundations requires that groundwater levels remain high enough to inundate the tops of wood pile foundations. This has become a major problem in some areas of the Back Bay, the South End and Fenway neighborhoods of Boston.
The Problem of Groundwater and Wood Piles in Boston: “An Unending Need for Vigilant Surveillance” (PDF)
Cotton, J.E., and Delaney, D.F., 1975, Ground-water levels on Boston Peninsula, Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey, Hydrologic Investigations Atlas, HA-513, 4 plates
Link here: http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/ha513
Link here: http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/ha513
Excerpt:
....Since the late 1950's, large-scale urban-renewal projects, with their multi-storied buildings and block-sized excavations, require extensive dewatering. Such activity potentially threatens wooden foundation pilings of nearby buildings, because the wood may deteriorate if exposed to air by lowering the water table.
Recognition of this problem led the Massachusetts Department of Public Works to request the assistance of the U.S. Geological Survey in monitoring ground-water levels before, during, and after dewatering associated with the construction of the proposed Inner Belt expressway across the peninsula. In addition to meeting this need, this report provides data on fluctuations of ground-water levels in the landfill areas where wooden pilings have been used. The water-table contour maps in this report compare low water of September 1967 and high water of March 1968, respectively, with composite low and high water tables from 1936 to 1940. This report will aid roadway and foundation Engineers in scheduling ground-water-recharge programs to protect wooden piling during future construction projects and in assessing buoyancy factors in the design of "bathtub" and "floating" substructures....
....Since the late 1950's, large-scale urban-renewal projects, with their multi-storied buildings and block-sized excavations, require extensive dewatering. Such activity potentially threatens wooden foundation pilings of nearby buildings, because the wood may deteriorate if exposed to air by lowering the water table.
Recognition of this problem led the Massachusetts Department of Public Works to request the assistance of the U.S. Geological Survey in monitoring ground-water levels before, during, and after dewatering associated with the construction of the proposed Inner Belt expressway across the peninsula. In addition to meeting this need, this report provides data on fluctuations of ground-water levels in the landfill areas where wooden pilings have been used. The water-table contour maps in this report compare low water of September 1967 and high water of March 1968, respectively, with composite low and high water tables from 1936 to 1940. This report will aid roadway and foundation Engineers in scheduling ground-water-recharge programs to protect wooden piling during future construction projects and in assessing buoyancy factors in the design of "bathtub" and "floating" substructures....
NOTE: The water-level altitude in these reports are referenced to the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey "Sea level datum of 1929. To covert the altitude's to BCB add +5.65'.
Low Water Table 1936-1940 (Plate 1) (PDF)
High Water Table 1936-1940 (Plate 2) (PDF)
Low Water Table September 1967 (Plate 3) (PDF)
High Water Table March 1968 (Plate 4) (PDF)
Low Water Table 1936-1940 (Plate 1) (PDF)
High Water Table 1936-1940 (Plate 2) (PDF)
Low Water Table September 1967 (Plate 3) (PDF)
High Water Table March 1968 (Plate 4) (PDF)
Works Progress Administration WPA: Historical Data 1936-1940
Under a program funded by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), groundwater levels were measured during the period from 1936 to 1940. Approximately 1000 observation wells were installed throughout the filled-land areas of Boston, including Back Bay, Lower Beacon Hill, South End, Fenway, Chinatown, Bay Village, and East Boston.
Only limited data collected during the original 1930's study are still available, being the following: first water level reading in the well; lowest and highest water levels measured over the 4 years of measurements; and the last reading made for each well. The dates on which these four readings were made are also in the available tabulated data. Refer to the links below for the data collected as during that time as described above.
Map of Groundwater Monitoring Well Locations (PDF)
Data of Groundwater Monitoring Well Locations (PDF)
Map of Groundwater Monitoring Well Locations East Boston (PDF)
Data of Groundwater Monitoring Well Locations East Boston (PDF)
A more complete description of the WPA survey is provided in the PDF reports linked here: (Report 1) (Report 2) (Report 3) (Report 4)
Only limited data collected during the original 1930's study are still available, being the following: first water level reading in the well; lowest and highest water levels measured over the 4 years of measurements; and the last reading made for each well. The dates on which these four readings were made are also in the available tabulated data. Refer to the links below for the data collected as during that time as described above.
Map of Groundwater Monitoring Well Locations (PDF)
Data of Groundwater Monitoring Well Locations (PDF)
Map of Groundwater Monitoring Well Locations East Boston (PDF)
Data of Groundwater Monitoring Well Locations East Boston (PDF)
A more complete description of the WPA survey is provided in the PDF reports linked here: (Report 1) (Report 2) (Report 3) (Report 4)
Trinity Church Report Focusing on Low Groundwater Levels
Excerpt:
Trinity Church is supported by some forty-five hundred wood piles. Piles remain sound while covered with water. Formerly the tides of the sea filled twice a day the basin of the Charles River and thoroughly saturated the ground in the Back Bay. When the Charles River Dam was built in 1902, it barred out the sea tides but kept the level of the water above the dam at grade 8, that is eight feet above the City Base.
Trinity Church is supported by some forty-five hundred wood piles. Piles remain sound while covered with water. Formerly the tides of the sea filled twice a day the basin of the Charles River and thoroughly saturated the ground in the Back Bay. When the Charles River Dam was built in 1902, it barred out the sea tides but kept the level of the water above the dam at grade 8, that is eight feet above the City Base.
Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Review, 1988
Excerpt:
... As the water table declines in the landfill beneath your century-old house, its wooden support piles rot and structural settlement accelerates, rendering the premises unsafe for occupation. ...
... As the water table declines in the landfill beneath your century-old house, its wooden support piles rot and structural settlement accelerates, rendering the premises unsafe for occupation. ...
Boston’s Groundwater Crisis: Seeking Sound Water Policies in an Unnatural Watershed
Excerpt:
One morning in 1985 a Beacon Hill homeowner awoke to discover that he could not get out his front door. His home, sitting on wooden piles, had sunk. Hidden from view several feet below his basement floor, fungi, bacteria and possibly boring insects had been for several years consuming the exposed tops of the wooden piles supporting the building’s stone foundation. Overnight the rotted piles reached the critical stage at which they could not hold the weight of the building. As the stone foundation collapsed through the rotted portion of the piles, the walls cracked and the front door sank below the front stair. Other old buildings along the lower edge of Beacon Hill, including Brimmer Street, also showed signs of subsidence. Engineers hired by Brimmer Street property owners confirmed that sinking ground water levels were responsible for the subsidence.
One morning in 1985 a Beacon Hill homeowner awoke to discover that he could not get out his front door. His home, sitting on wooden piles, had sunk. Hidden from view several feet below his basement floor, fungi, bacteria and possibly boring insects had been for several years consuming the exposed tops of the wooden piles supporting the building’s stone foundation. Overnight the rotted piles reached the critical stage at which they could not hold the weight of the building. As the stone foundation collapsed through the rotted portion of the piles, the walls cracked and the front door sank below the front stair. Other old buildings along the lower edge of Beacon Hill, including Brimmer Street, also showed signs of subsidence. Engineers hired by Brimmer Street property owners confirmed that sinking ground water levels were responsible for the subsidence.
Wentworth Institute of Technology: Student Proposal for Low Groundwater
A senior design project focusing on a neighborhood in the South End of Boston, MA that has had persistent low groundwater levels and a potential solution to combat those low levels.
Boston Public Library (BPL): Historical Readings
The Boston Public Library regularly monitors their 11 groundwater observation wells on site and has been kind enough to share the data with the BGwT. Below is location map of the wells and all of the readings that have been taken from 1994-2008.
Biodegradation of Untreated Wood Foundation Piles in Existing Buildings from Structure Magazine
A series of articles written by Milan Vatovec, P.E., Ph. D and Paul L. Kelley, P.E. which looks at the Biodegradation of untreated wood piles.
Part 1: Investigation, June 2007 (PDF)
Part 2: Deterioration Mechanisms, Sept. 2007 (PDF)
Part 3: Remedial Options, Dec. 2007 (PDF)
Part 2: Deterioration Mechanisms, Sept. 2007 (PDF)
Part 3: Remedial Options, Dec. 2007 (PDF)
Water Resources and the Urban Environment,
Lower Charles River Watershed, Massachusetts, 1630–2005
By: Peter K. Weiskel, Lora K. Barlow, and Tomas W. Smieszek
Lower Charles River Watershed, Massachusetts, 1630–2005
By: Peter K. Weiskel, Lora K. Barlow, and Tomas W. Smieszek
Excerpt:
The Charles River, one of the Nation’s most historically significant rivers, flows through the center of the Boston metropolitan region in eastern Massachusetts (fig. 1). The lower Charles River, downstream of the original head of tide in Watertown, was originally a productive estuary and important source of fish and shellfish for the Native Americans of the region. This portion of the river has an exceptionally long and colorful human history. In 1615, the explorer Captain John Smith gave the river its modern name, in honor of young Prince Charles of England. In 1617–18, the Native American community of the watershed was decimated by an epidemic, after having continuously occupied the area for the previous 4,000 years. In 1630, the first large group of English settlers, led by John Winthrop, set foot on the Shawmut Peninsula at the mouth of the river (fig. 2), and established the town of Boston. In the 1630s, the first printing press, public park, public school, and college in the English colonies were all established on the banks of the Charles River. Almost immediately, the settlers of Boston and adjacent towns also began to modify the landscape and water resources of the watershed.
The Charles River, one of the Nation’s most historically significant rivers, flows through the center of the Boston metropolitan region in eastern Massachusetts (fig. 1). The lower Charles River, downstream of the original head of tide in Watertown, was originally a productive estuary and important source of fish and shellfish for the Native Americans of the region. This portion of the river has an exceptionally long and colorful human history. In 1615, the explorer Captain John Smith gave the river its modern name, in honor of young Prince Charles of England. In 1617–18, the Native American community of the watershed was decimated by an epidemic, after having continuously occupied the area for the previous 4,000 years. In 1630, the first large group of English settlers, led by John Winthrop, set foot on the Shawmut Peninsula at the mouth of the river (fig. 2), and established the town of Boston. In the 1630s, the first printing press, public park, public school, and college in the English colonies were all established on the banks of the Charles River. Almost immediately, the settlers of Boston and adjacent towns also began to modify the landscape and water resources of the watershed.
Bacpoles: Preserving Cultural Heritage by Preventing
Bacterial Decay of Wood in Foundation Piles and Archaeological Sites
Bacterial Decay of Wood in Foundation Piles and Archaeological Sites
Excerpt:
From February 2002 to January 2005, the European Commission funded a scientific project with the title “Preserving cultural heritage by preventing bacterial decay of wood in foundation piles and archaeological sites”, EU number “ EVK4-2001-00043” with the acronym or work name “BACPOLES “.
For a long time it was believed that storage in water or use below the ground water table prevents wood from biological degradation. However in the 1990ies serious problems with Dutch wooden foundation piles, were caused by bacteria. This shows that bacterial wood degradation should be regarded as a serious problem when dealing with wooden constructions under water and that even wooden objects other than foundations could be affected. In contrast to fungal degradation where the economical impact was realised a long time ago, research on bacterial degradation had until now low priority and therefore little knowledge was available on the process.
From February 2002 to January 2005, the European Commission funded a scientific project with the title “Preserving cultural heritage by preventing bacterial decay of wood in foundation piles and archaeological sites”, EU number “ EVK4-2001-00043” with the acronym or work name “BACPOLES “.
For a long time it was believed that storage in water or use below the ground water table prevents wood from biological degradation. However in the 1990ies serious problems with Dutch wooden foundation piles, were caused by bacteria. This shows that bacterial wood degradation should be regarded as a serious problem when dealing with wooden constructions under water and that even wooden objects other than foundations could be affected. In contrast to fungal degradation where the economical impact was realised a long time ago, research on bacterial degradation had until now low priority and therefore little knowledge was available on the process.
Groundwater Decline and the Preservation of Property in Boston, Tamar Shoham
Excerpt:
Abstract: There is a slow-motion disaster underway below the city of Boston. The levels of groundwater have been steadily decreasing over the past eighty years and the structural integrity of the city's older buildings is in jeopardy. Buildings located on Boston's made land that were constructed prior to 1900 were supported with wood pilings. Wood pilings remain strong so long as they are submerged in groundwater. When exposed to air, the wood decays and buildings can eventually collapse. Repairing rotted wood pilings is a substantial financial burden and is currently shouldered entirely by homeowners. State and local governments ignored the city's pilings problem for decades, but in the last eighteen months the city's groundwater issues have surfaced prominently on political agendas. The city, state and community members are now working collaboratively to implement solutions that will increase the level of groundwater throughout the city, and a window of opportunity has opened in which lasting policies can be passed that protect buildings from further damage. The solutions to the city's groundwater problem are theoretically simple: more water must enter the ground and stay there, and rotted pilings must be repaired.(cont.) However, in addressing this challenge, some very difficult obstacles to planning must be overcome. The piling decay and mitigation efforts all occur below ground thus are unseen. The effects of lowered groundwater levels have been stretched out over decades and residents and politicians have frequently underestimated the problem. Most importantly, the key stakeholders all have strong disincentives to address the issue of rotted pilings. This thesis examines the relationship between groundwater and pilings and addresses how three key stakeholder groups - the city, state, and community organizations - can pool their resources to prevent further damage to pilings and permanently increase groundwater levels in the city.
Abstract: There is a slow-motion disaster underway below the city of Boston. The levels of groundwater have been steadily decreasing over the past eighty years and the structural integrity of the city's older buildings is in jeopardy. Buildings located on Boston's made land that were constructed prior to 1900 were supported with wood pilings. Wood pilings remain strong so long as they are submerged in groundwater. When exposed to air, the wood decays and buildings can eventually collapse. Repairing rotted wood pilings is a substantial financial burden and is currently shouldered entirely by homeowners. State and local governments ignored the city's pilings problem for decades, but in the last eighteen months the city's groundwater issues have surfaced prominently on political agendas. The city, state and community members are now working collaboratively to implement solutions that will increase the level of groundwater throughout the city, and a window of opportunity has opened in which lasting policies can be passed that protect buildings from further damage. The solutions to the city's groundwater problem are theoretically simple: more water must enter the ground and stay there, and rotted pilings must be repaired.(cont.) However, in addressing this challenge, some very difficult obstacles to planning must be overcome. The piling decay and mitigation efforts all occur below ground thus are unseen. The effects of lowered groundwater levels have been stretched out over decades and residents and politicians have frequently underestimated the problem. Most importantly, the key stakeholders all have strong disincentives to address the issue of rotted pilings. This thesis examines the relationship between groundwater and pilings and addresses how three key stakeholder groups - the city, state, and community organizations - can pool their resources to prevent further damage to pilings and permanently increase groundwater levels in the city.
Ground Penetrating Radar Characterization of Wood Piles and the Water Table in Back Bay, Boston by Suzanne O'Neil LeFrancois
Abstract: Ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys are performed to determine the depth to the water table and the tops of wood piles beneath a residential structure at 122 Beacon Street in Back Bay, Boston. The area of Boston known as the Back Bay was once a tidal estuary of the Charles River. During the latter half of the 19th century, the Back Bay was filled to create room for the city's expanding population. Most of the structures built in the Back Bay during this period were residential buildings supported by untreated wood pile foundations. Submerged beneath the water table, untreated wood piles maintain their structural integrity indefinitely. However, recent groundwater fluctuations throughout the Back Bay have exposed the tops of some of the piles, causing the exposed areas to rot. Rotted wood piles weaken a structure's foundation and often result in differential settlement or cracking in walls or foundations. The current method of investigating suspected pile failure is to excavate a foundation and to physically inspect the piles, noting the elevation of the water table. In many cases, foundations may be stabilized by underpinning: replacing rotted wood piles with steel beams or concrete plugs often at great cost to the owner of the building. The research presented in this thesis investigates the usefulness of GPR in determining the proximity of the tops of wood piles relative to the water table. Two different types of radar surveys were used in an attempt to estimate the depth to the water table and the tops of the piles. Data collected from several radar surveys is interpreted and compared with ground truth derived from historical references, water level data from monitoring wells, observations from recent excavations, and the results of a resistivity survey. The results of this study indicate that modifications of this technique may allow more definite interpretation of wood pile foundations than traditional GPR surveys can provide in this type of environment.