Mayor D'anna Browning said on social media that the city’s engineering firm is completing the preliminary design to repair the levee at Lake George. The levee containing Marion's water supply was breached last spring and the lake had to be drained, which was the start of months of water shortages, hauling water from nearby rivers and tying in to neighboring water districts.
Browning said that an interim levee repair could be completed by this summer. The temporary fix would be up to the breach point, which is lower than the original height of the dam. The total storage capacity would be less, but the city believes it will meet Marion’s restricted needs when combined with the water being purchased from the Crittenden-Livingston Water District.
An eventual full restoration will require compliance with Division of Water regulations, which involves another two years of design and permit review before construction could start on bringing the dam to its full height.
Browning said she's hopeful about a good possibility of state financial assistance for the emergency repairs.
On the Net:
Mayor's Facebook post regarding levee repairs
