Stuck in an open position, an intake pipe valve near the top of Echo Dam must be replaced.
The good news is that the repair will only take one day to accomplish and is not anticipated to be a significant expense – as little as $5,000. The bad news is that water level in Lake Echo must be lowered approximately three feet before the work can begin.
The Seven Lakes Landowners Association [SLLA] initially suggested the repair was a "state-mandated" project, but Lakes & Dams Director Don Fentzlaff admitted that term was a slight stretch.
“This work is necessary to meet the design requirements for mandated siphon systems, as laid out by the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources [NC-DENR]," Fentzlaff told The Times. “The valve was required when the dam was constructed, but it is malfunctioning and no longer in compliance with state standards or requirements.”
Repairing the valve is not an option -- it must be replaced, he explained.
Fentzlaff said the $5,000 estimate does not include an engineering fee to S&ME, who he has tasked with overseeing the installation process.
“We’ve tied the work into another job at Echo," Fentzlaff said. "Since they [S&ME] were going to be here anyway, we will have them oversee the project. It was the smart way to do it.”
Funds will come from unrestricted reserves
Funding for the job will come from the unrestricted capital reserve account rather than the restricted reserve set aside for road paving costs and state-mandated dam repairs.
Road work completed this Summer has tallied up to approximately $520,000 – leaving over $100,000 in restricted reserves -- but Fentzlaff said it was important to leave that account alone.
“If we don’t have to deplete the reserve for roads, why would we?" he asked. "Since the valve project is such a small amount of money, we decided it was best to take it out of capital funding.”
As of June 30, the unrestricted reserves totaled $481,554, according to Association financial reports.
Project details
There are actually two valves on the Lake Echo intake pipe, one at the top and another at the bottom of the dam. Their purpose is to regulate the water flow as it drains to Lake Sequoia. Either valve can be closed off to prevent the possibility of loading too much water to the downstream side.
Fentzlaff explained that the two-valve system is essential when work is needed on the opposite side -- as in the current situation.
The scope of work includes cutting the connecting pipe and then installing a new coupling and replacement valve.
According to the SLLA announcement, lowering the lake level by three feet will take eighteen days and is expected to commence after Labor Day. The actual valve replacement is scheduled for Friday, September 21 [The alternate work date is Friday, September 28].
Lake Echo waterfront property owners are encouraged to consider any dock, bulkhead or lake bottom maintenance while the water level is down. Intake lines may need to be extended to continue using lake water for irrigation and, in addition, boat owners should consider removing their boats from Lake Echo -- if desired -- before the lake level drops to a point that such activity would be restricted.
