Significant progress was made on the spillway project during the month of February as weather improved. Here’s an update on developments since the last communication in January.

• ‍Schedule - The project is in the closing stretch.  Barring no unusual events, the project should be substantially completed by late March.  Cosmetic details such as plantings and signage will occur in April followed by a spillway dedication event (details forthcoming).
• ‍Channel Construction - Wall construction was completed in mid-February with the last pour on February 19. A change to the initial design added two “wedges” to the end of the channel to funnel normal flows to the center to avoid bank erosion. A small sacrificial concrete cap was poured directly onto the fractured limestone just past the end of the spillway to attempt to hold this rock in place. However, we believe this is temporary fix as it could fail over time due to continued erosion.
  With the walls complete, work turned to backfilling both sides of the channel walls to facilitate ground water drainage away from the structure. Once gravel has been placed, backfilling and final grading of earth begins with anticipated completion within the next week.Soon thereafter, a five-foot iron fence will be installed on top of both the east and west side walls of the channel.
  A new ground level retaining wall (referred to as the north wall) will be constructed on each side of the west entry gates during March. Currently there are temporary concrete barriers in the area. The north wall will be faced on both sides with natural limestone and capped to match the existing dam retaining wall.   This project phase also includes drainage improvements to the area just outside the west gate. Once the north wall is complete, a concrete slope protection layer will be poured in the area between the wall and the spillway.
• ‍South Spillway Wall - A significant amount of engineering and design thought went into replacing the south wall, which is the stone wall just above the spillway (left side of the dam as you are facing west). This phase was not included in the original project scope. After considerable discussion at the FebruaryCity Council meeting, the Council decided not to pursue this phase due primarily to cost. Although unsightly, this wall and the north spillway structure are not in imminent danger of failure and have not been a focus of state dam inspections. As part of the current contract, concrete slope protection will be added to the small shelf which sits at the base of the stone wall. In addition, we are securing bids to shore up the wall in the damaged section.
• ‍Bridge Repair - In lateFebruary, work began on repair and replacement of the deteriorated stone on the bridge. Fractured and compromised rocks will be hammered out and replaced and most joints will be re-pointed and repaired. Finally, a matching stone cap will be placed on top of the bridge walls. Also included in this phase is rebuilding parts of the two columns on which the west gate hangs, including matching stone caps. This phase of the project will cause temporary lane closures on the dam road. We appreciate your patience and will do what we can to minimize disruption.
  Other repair projects that will be completed in March include cleaning and repainting the rusted girders under the bridge. Additionally, all concrete joints on the west and east spillways will be cleaned and grouted to prevent regrowth of highly destructive vegetation. Three sections of the east spillway pool control wall were removed prior to construction, and have now been replaced.
• ‍Lake Level - With construction progressing, the spillway gate has been open nearly continuously throughout February, allowing the lake to return to normal winter pool.  It is anticipated the lake will remain low throughoutMarch in order to allow homeowners to complete seawall repairs.
• Rehab and Beautification - Pyramid will complete final grading of the disturbed earth in the project area. After final grading, seed and mat will be applied to re-vegetate turfgrass.  Decorative bushes are planned for the area between Renner and the west spillway wall. The wood stairs down to the waterfall will be rehabbed by the Natural Resources Committee later this spring. And, new asphalt paving will replace all impacted roads.
• Safety - The Spillway Committee and contractor along with all personnel who work on the site daily appreciate your continued focus on safe driving through the job site.  We understand the occasional closures of Renner and Lakeshore have been frustrating and ask for continued patience as we close in on the final tasks of this major project.

Please feel free to contact Spillway Committee members if you have questions or comments. Pictures and drone footage of the project are below.

Spillway Committee Members:‍

• Annie Noland
• Win Zoellner
• Pat McAnany
• Dave McCullagh
• Brent Johnson (Olsson Engineering)

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