Northeast Regional Conference: Agenda
The Northeast Regional Conference will be held in Buffalo, NY. All times listed below are Eastern time.
The conference agenda is subject to change.
Jump to a specific day: MONDAY • TUESDAY • WEDNESDAY
Download a PDF version of the agenda. • Download all conference abstracts.
MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Exhibitor Move-In
2:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Registration Open
2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Speaker Preview Room Open
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Northeast Regional Caucus Meeting
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2026
7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Speaker Preview Room Open
7:00 am – 5:30 pm
Registration Open
7:00 am – 8:30 am
Breakfast with the Exhibitors
8:30 am – 10:00 am
General Session & Welcome
Welcome
John Roche, P.E., ASDSO President
Navigating the Shift to a Dam Safety Culture at the NYS Canal System - View Abstract
Thomas McDonald, P.E., New York Power Authority
10:00 am – 10:30 am
Break in the Exhibit Hall
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Session 1: Rehab
TBA
Reeling in the Leaks: Adaptive Engineering Solutions for a Historic Dam Rehabilitation - View Abstract
Marc Chmura, P.E., and Gillian Wiliams, P.E., GEI Consultants, Inc; Richard Parker, Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife
Seepage Solutions: Engineering Excellence on the Erie Canal - View Abstract
Wesley Hollenbach, P.E., AECOM
Session 2: Spillways
Linking Foundation Conditions to Operational Risk: A Case Study on Youghiogheny Dam Spillway - View Abstract
Cheyne Aiken, R.G., and Nicole Brennan, P.G., GEI Consultants, Inc; Justin Pearce, CEG, Sharon Schulz, P.E., and Carolyn Wehner, US Army Corps of Engineers
Piano Key Weir Considerations in Northern Climates - View Abstract
Kevin Ruswick, P.E., CFM, and Jack Gergel, P.E., Schnabel Engineering; William Simcoe, P.E., City of Albany Department of Water & Water Supply
The Fall Protection Cable that Changed a Dam: How a Simple Safety Upgrade Sparked Major Improvements - View Abstract
Jeff Wackowski, P.E., LaBella Associates; Todd Mueller, P.E., Colliers Engineering & Design
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Lunch on own
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Session 3: Rehab Case Studies
Design and Construction for the Loughberry Lake Dam Rehabilitation - View Abstract
Zachary King, P.E., Schnabel Engineering; James Salaway, P.E., City of Saratoga Springs - DPW
Risk-Driven Decisions for Cost-Effective Dam Rehabilitation in New Jersey
Kyle Taylor, P.E., French and Parrello Associates
Multi-Regulatory Agency Involvement To Remove Amboy Dam - View Abstract
Brandon George, EIT, Claire Brady, P.E., and Kenneth Avery, P.E., CFM, D.WRE, Colliers Engineering & Design
Session 4: Canals
Enhancing Waterway Management and Decision-Making through System-Wide Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling of the Erie Canal - View Abstract
Allan Estivalet, P.E., CFM, Schnabel Engineering; Barry Anctil, P.E., MBA, New York Power Authority
Finding ‘New’ Dams on the Erie Canal - View Abstract
Kevin O’Malley, P.E., New York Power Authority
Rehab of a 1830s Canal Dam - View Abstract
Joseph Troxell and Joe Hlebiczki, Michael Baker International, Inc.
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Break in the Exhibit Hall
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Session 5: Armoring
Armoring Spillways and Embankments with Articulating Concrete Blocks - View Abstract
Paul Schweiger, P.E., CFM, GFT
Fission Chips and Train Trips: Adventures in Dam Safety - View Abstract
James R Guistina, P.E., Colliers Engineering and Design
One Dam, Two Spillways: Comparative Armoring Approaches at Crosley Lake Dam - View Abstract
Randy Thompson, P.E., WatershedGeo
Session 6: Risk
A State Regulator’s Perspective: Chasing the RIDM Principle - View Abstract
Andrea Henry, P.E., VA Department of Conservation and Recreation
Considerations for dam safety risk in capital planning - View Abstract
Rachel Barrows and Rachael Bisnett, Stantec
Visualizing Risk Pathways: Event Tree Analysis for Dam and Levee Safety - View Abstract
Daniel A. Vellone, M.S., P.G., CPG, US Army Corps of Engineers
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2026
7:00 am – 3:30 pm
Speaker Preview Room Open
7:30 am – 3:30 pm
Registration Open
7:30 am – 8:30 am
Breakfast with the Exhibitors
8:30 am – 10:00 am
General Session
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Abandoned Dams Program Update - View Abstract
Jennifer Doyle-Breen, PWS, and Doug Gove, Jr. , P.E., AECOM; William Salomaa, MA Department of Conservation and Recreation
10:00 am – 10:30 am
Break in the Exhibit Hall
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Session 7: Removal
TNC Free Rivers Accelerator and Massachusetts Acceleration Programs with Case Study - View Abstract
Marea Gabriel, The Nature Conservancy
Non-ecological Co-Benefits of Dam Removal - View Abstract
Christiana Pollack, CERP, GISP, CFM, Princeton Hydro, LLC; Beth Styler Barry, The Nature Conservancy
Using Prioritization Tools in Dam Removal Decision Making - View Abstract
Charles DeCurtis, Ph.D., The Nature Conservancy; Shawna Fix, Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership
Session 8: LLO
Cuba Lake Dam Low Level Outlet Replacement - View Abstract
N. Johan Anestad, P.E., and Hannah R. Williams, EI, Ramboll
Gate House Repairs Under Pressure (Literally) - View Abstract
Gregory Johnson, P.E., PMP, and Rex Powell, P.E., Colliers Engineering & Design
Inspection of underground intake conduits at Niagara power Project: Operational insights and future monitoring strategies - View Abstract
Ketan Ragalwar, P.E., Ph.D., New York Power Authority
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Lunch with the Exhibitors
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Session 9: Best of the Rest
Back in my day...How historical data can help your project of today - View Abstract
Nathan Clymer, P.E., Hazen and Sawyer
Rebuilding a Waterfall - View Abstract
Joseph Troxell, Michael Baker International, Inc.
No Way In, No Way Out: The Realities of Small-Reservoir Dredging - View Abstract
James R Guistina, P.E., CED, Colliers Engineering & Design
Session 10: Seismic
Seismic Results of Comprehensive Risk Assessments: What Are We Doing Here? - View Abstract
Jake Dafni, Ph.D., P.E., Matt Farren, and Heidi Pence, P.E., GEI Consultants, Inc.
Stability Analysis of an Historic Dry Stack Masonry Dam in New Hampshire - View Abstract
Mark DiLullo, P.E., AECOM
The Engineering Geologist's Critical Role in FERC Part 12D Comprehensive Assessments: Lessons Learned from Diverse Physiographic Provinces - View Abstract
Todd G. Bown, P.G., GZA GeoEnvironmental
1:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Exhibitor Move-Out
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Break
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Session 11: Inundation Mapping
Is it worthwhile to update old inundation maps with new modeling software? - View Abstract
Christine Suhonen P.E., GZA GeoEnvironmental
Screening-level breach analyses and hazard classification at large portfolio scales - View Abstract
Jonathan Quebbeman, Ph.D., P.E., P.H., Hazen and Sawyer
A River Process and Risk Based Framework for Sediment Management at Dam Removal Projects in New York State
Foster Valle and Tim Koch, NY State Department of Environmental Conservation
Session 12: Anchoring
Indian Lake Dam Rehabilitation - Strengthening Aged Concrete and Stone Masonry for Post-Tension Anchoring - View Abstract
Todd Mueller, P.E., and Greg Johnson, P.E., PMP, Colliers Engineering & Design
Losing Your Grip? Liftoff Testing of 41-year-old Post-tensioned Rock Anchors - View Abstract
Nathaniel W. Martin, P.E., AECOM; Frank Schumaci, P.E., NY State Canal Corporation
New Heights and Unknown Depths: Anchoring a 150-year-old Wall for Modern Floods - View Abstract
Jeff Wackowski, P.E., LaBella Associates; Todd Mueller, P.E., Colliers Engineering and Design
