Despite recent rains, newly dammed Hope Mills Lake coming up short
A $9.8 million dam at Hope Mills Lake was completed earlier this year, and the town began refilling the lake in June. The remnants of Tropical Storm Fay finished the job, but residents say the lake is still 2 feet too low.
Posted — UpdatedConstruction of a $9.8 million concrete dam was completed earlier this year, and the town began refilling the lake in June. The remnants of Tropical Storm Fay finished the job, but residents say the lake is still coming up 2 feet short.
"We just know that we asked for the lake to be returned to its original level, and that's what we were expecting to get,” resident Lisa Waring said.
"And again, there is some room between that stake and our sea wall,” Waring said.
At 750 feet long, the new, zig-zagging dam is 600 feet longer than the old one to meet regulations for holding back the lake's water.
“I think that we really need to be patient. We need to get the water impounded. We need to let the water set for a few days,” Tonzie Collins, Hope Mills commissioner, said.
Residents who live around the lake have voiced concerns before about the restored lake being lower than before, saying it was having an impact on docks and swimming areas.
The town plans to impound the water by the end of the month.
Rose is scheduled to talk to the Board of Commissioners Monday night about the dam. Last week, he said there were safety and monetary concerns about putting the lake back exactly where it was.
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