State Provides More Money For Hope Mills Lake

HOPE MILLS, N.C. — The state is pitching in more money to rebuild the Hope Mills dam.

Gov. Mike Easley recently approved the allocation for an additional $2.1 million because construction costs continue to rise. The project was supposed to cost $6 million, but it is now up to $9 million.

The dam was destroyed in 2003 when a series of thunderstorms dumped up to 6 inches of rain in Cumberland and Hoke Counties. The rainfall overloaded Big Rockfish Creek in Hoke County, and Little Rockfish and Buckhead creeks in Cumberland County. The resulting flash floods affected several homes, eroded two roads and caused four dams to fail.

Town leaders said the latest funding should cover the cost.