Three lifeguards will be on duty at all times while the dock is open, compared to two in previous years, Justin Anderson, College director of media relations, said. Outdoor Programs will remain responsible for the lifeguards' wages, Director of Outdoor Programs Dan Nelson said.
Punishments for those found swimming outside of designated hours will be determined "depending on the circumstances," Anderson said.
Students will be required to leave their Dartmouth ID cards with lifeguards on duty in order to access the dock, the email said.
The requirement is a "safety issue," consistent with rules at the College pool, according to Anderson.
"We want to know who's in the water at all times, in case the lifeguard has to do a head count," he said.
Town of Hanover officials including Senior Planner Vicki Smith and Building Inspector Ryan Borkowski inspected the dock on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week to assess accessibility, general safety and power installation, according to Joanna Whitcomb, director of planning for the Office of Planning, Design and Construction. Favorable results, which ensured that the dock met safety requirements and building code, made the opening date possible, according to Whitcomb.
Construction was delayed due to recent severe weather, Whitcomb said.
According to College rules, swimming between the bridge and the Ledyard Canoe Club is only permitted from the designated swim dock, Nelson said.
Swimming in that range of the river has been effectively prohibited since last summer, when the previous dock was closed due to safety concerns, The Dartmouth previously reported.
Students were informed of the previous dock's closure by email on June 23, 2010, The Dartmouth previously reported. Stated concerns included an unpredictable current, poor visibility and the rapid drop in river depth at the previous location.
Representatives from consulting firm Milone and MacBroom analyzed the riverbank to determine the safest location for swimming, considering accessibility and changes in the speed of the river current, according to Whitcomb.
Sensors have been installed in the dock which incorporates pieces of the old dock into the new design to monitor the river current and determine if swimming is safe at any given time, Anderson said.
Storm water runoff into the river is a major environmental concern, as is erosion, according to Whitcomb. The problems were addressed during construction by using porous concrete that can drain water and strategic planting to prevent erosion and vegetated swales, or channels through which storm water can run, Whitcomb said.
Because the New Hampshire Shoreline Protection Zone applies to land up to 250 feet from the riverbank, any construction in the area is "highly regulated" by the state, according to Whitcomb.
The dock project has led the College to develop a long-term plan for possible improvements on the riverfront, Whitcomb said. Items under consideration include the renovation of the Ledyard Canoe Club facility and elimination of a portion of the 228 parking spaces currently along the riverfront, Whitcomb said.
Improvements to the dock and "beautification" of the dock area including handrails and a bench will continue throughout the summer, according to Anderson.
The President's Office provided $200,000 for the construction costs, Anderson said.
Some pieces of the old dock were used for the construction of the new dock, Nelson said.
Many students interviewed by The Dartmouth expressed excitement at the news of the dock's opening.
"It's awesome, but I wish they had been open sooner, for the spring and the beginning of sophomore Summer," Phil Gordon '13 said. "But as long as it's open I'm happy with that."
Students said the ID requirement could improve safety.
"I approve I don't see why that would be offensive," Esop Baek '13 said. "It's smart."
Ellen Roy '13, senior business director of Ledyard Canoe Club and resident of the club's physical plant, said she welcomed the coming diversion of people away from the house's front yard.
"Ledyard tends to get really congested, so it'll be helpful to have more space so more people can enjoy the river," Roy said.
