Dartmoor Dam funds OK'd

By Harvey Hoffman / Sun contributor

June 17, 2009 09:13 am

— Harvey Hoffman is the general manager of the Fairfield Glade Community Club.
On Monday, June 15th the Board of Directors of the Fairfield Glade Community Club Inc. held a Special Meeting for the purpose of voting on a project to modify the Lake Dartmoor dam outlet system. This project became necessary after the lakeside outlet system failed in early May.
The motion to approve an expenditure of $389,929 passed 6 to 0.
Approximately 100 members were in attendance. The majority of those attending were members that lived on or close to Lake Dartmoor. After Jeff Warren, Director of Community Services presented details concerning the project, there were numerous questions and comments. During this time, General Manager, Harvey B. Hoffman committed to submitting to the Board at this months board meeting a proposal for engineering services necessary to planning for the modification of the spillway adjacent to Catoosa Blvd.
The following are some of the details of the project. The project is scheduled to be completed within four weeks after receiving approval from the TN Environment and Conservation, Division of Water Pollution Control. It is expected that notification of the Agency’s approval will be received by the end of the week. The Agency is responsible for approving an ARAP, (Application for Aquatic Resource Alteration Permit). The outlet of the dam flows into Lick Creek. Further on, the Lick Creek empties into the Otter Creel located in the Catoosa Wildlife Reserve. At the base of the dam is a small pool, approximately 3 ft deep and 40 x 60 feet. This pond will be temporarily filled in with gravel and rock so the heavy equipment necessary to modify the outlet can work on a dry platform. M & W. Drilling, of Knoxville is the prime contractor.
The flow of water through the dam will be diverted around the platform to allow for the platform to remain dry. Once the outlet pipe is modified and the flow can be restricted M & W. Drilling will be responsible for returning the pond to an acceptable condition.
Late last week, Jeff Warren, John Mishu, and Harvey Hoffman met in Nashville with the Chief of the TN Safe Dam Section. Mr. Lyle Bentley, of the Safe Dams Section, committed to approving the required application of a alteration permit.
Lastly, M & W Drilling has been installing four (4) piezometes. These devices, located on the downside face of the dam, will be instrumental to measuring the water level within the dam. All healthy earthen dams contain an acceptable level of water.