Commission hears suggestions on keeping Katy Allen dam safe

Thursday, October 2, 2003

Earlier this month a meeting was held between Vernon County commissioners and state officials at Katy Allen Lake, in Nevada, to discuss the future of the Birdscape Project and possible changes to the face of the lake. However, due to the condition of the dam, these plans may be forced to come to a head on an increased timetable. One concern about the current condition of the dam is its soundness in a flood situation. During a tour of the site, officials noted that both of the spillways leak and there was several holes in the center of the dam and possible seepage at the base. Richard Purcell, state conservation engineer, notified the County Commissioners after his own tour of the site that "the dam at the Katy Allen Lake presents a serious threat to public safety and should receive immediate attention to reduce this threat. If the embankment or spillways are breached by high flows with water levels at their maximum the potential for damage to life and property downstream exists." Presiding Vernon County Commissioner Charlie Johnson said that the county has removed part of the old spillway in an effort to lower the water level of the lake and relieve some of the pressure off of the defunct dam. "It's one of those things," said Johnson. "You start a project and then it brings something else to light." Joseph Wilson, the consulting engineer and hydrologist hired by the county to take care of the Katy Allen Dam problem, said of the dam: "It's been better." From his observation, there are four large beaver holes running through the dam that are compromising its integrity. "There is a lot of remedial work that needs to be done to reduce the risk," said Wilson. Wilson was very supportive of the efforts of the county, saying, "A couple of feet makes a lot of difference in flood storage." Katy Allen Lake was originally built as a reservoir to hold water used in steam engines on the Katy Railroad line. A concrete stone on one of the spillways of the dam claimed that the structure was built in 1907.

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