ODNR: Buckeye Lake water levels may be low until 2019

MILLERSPORT – Construction of the new Buckeye Lake Dam may not be done until 2019, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources does not anticipate raising water levels in the lake before then.

The ODNR is restricted by dam safety standards, said Steve Berezansky, chief of projects at the ODNR, at an open house the department hosted Wednesday night with design firm Gannett Fleming.

While ODNR officials are hopeful they can raise the water before construction on the dam is projected to end in 2019, Berezansky could not say when or by how much.

“We will not have any businesses left, there’s no question about that,” said Tim Ryan, president of the Buckeye Lake Region Chamber of Commerce.

“Where’s the saving of time?” Ryan added, referencing Gov. John Kasich’s news conference last month during which state officials said the preferred design method chosen for the Buckeye Lake Dam project would mean the new dam was likely to be constructed faster than the original prediction of five years.

The ODNR engineers and representatives from Gannett Fleming met with local stakeholders Wednesday night at Millersport Elementary School.

The school’s auditorium was full to capacity, but as they left, residents said they felt as if the open house did not provide much new information.

“It was a waste of time,” Ryan said about the open house. “This is obviously the biggest project they’ve taken on.”

Gannett Fleming was chosen for the project because of the company’s background and experience, Berezansky said. Gannett Fleming project manager Bob Kline has experience working on 85 dam projects with a combined $500 million construction value, Berezansky said.

The estimated cost for the Buckeye Lake Dam Improvement Project is still between $100 and $150 million, Berezansky said.

The ODNR recently acquired $25 million from the newly signed state budget, which is good news for the project, Berezansky said. The money should cover the interim risk reduction measures that will be put in place during the next year and a half.

Physical construction of the new dam is not anticipated to begin until the spring of 2017.

Kline said that during the next year and half, a stability berm will be put in extending at least 30 feet from the current dam. The stability berm will add support to the existing dam and be an extra barrier against seepage, he said.

“That will (also) buy time for the final design,” Kline said.

While the soil mixing design touted by Kasich and celebrated by the ODNR last month is the preferred method for constructing the new dam, Kline said the design is still in the concept phase.

Soil mixing involves stirring concrete into material on the lake bottom to create columns that protect against seepage.

Also during the next year and a half, a six-foot high fence will be placed along the dam on the state property line, as per safety standards, Kline said.

Surveyors are walking the dam daily to determine the state and private property line along the dam. Kline said the fence will not be put on private property and will likely be put on the water side of the sidewalk the runs the length of the 4.1-mile dam.

“(Buckeye Lake Dam) has held up well, but it’s at the time where it needs a major overhaul,” Kline said. “We’re excited to be a part of it. ... We’re excited to celebrate when it’s all over too.”

Another open house with ODNR and Gannett Fleming is planned for the winter, officials said.

abisaro@gannett.com

740-328-8822

Twitter: @abisaro_NEW

Get involved

The ODNR welcomes public comments and questions on the Buckeye Lake Dam project. Inquiries can be made at damriskreduction@dnr.state.oh.us or 614-265-6755.