Engineer: Hope Mills residents must accept dam height

The chief engineer of the new Hope Mills dam said residents will have to accept the dam height originally agreed upon.

Posted 4:03 a.m. Sep 16, 2008 — Updated 4:03 a.m. Sep 16, 2008

HOPE MILLS, N.C. — The chief engineer of the new Hope Mills dam said residents will have to accept the height originally agreed upon.

Residents who live around the lake voiced concerns about the restored lake being lower than before, saying it will have a big impact on docks and swimming areas.

Torrential rains on Memorial Day 2003 washed away the lake's earthen dam, and the town spent years trying to finance a new dam. Construction of a $9.8 million concrete dam was completed earlier this year, and the town began refilling the lake in June. The lake was filled up last month when the remnants of Tropical Storm Fay dumped rain in the area.

The engineer met with town leaders Monday night about lake level concerns. He said there was nothing he could do to change the level, unless the town wants to spend more money.

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