Posted on May 10, 2019
After a couple of years of waiting for the approval on a construction permit to expand the Owsley Fork Dam in Berea, the city has gotten the green light from the Army Corp of Engineers to move ahead with the project.
The $12 million project plans to increase the wall by additional 6 feet, which will add water storage capacity by 50%, securing fresh water in the city for up to 50 more years.
“It’s almost time for celebration, after two and a half years, the city of Berea is almost finished after working with Army Corp Engineering, and Berea Municipal Utilities has finally received their green light to continue with the … Owsley Fork Dam restoration,” City Administrator Randy Stone said.
He noted that if the federal monies stay on track for the project, it will be scheduled to begin in the year 2022. Because the project was not just repairing or refurbishing the existing facility, but adding on to it, it had to be approved.
“We have all spent a lot of time working on this. We appreciate everyone’s time,” he said. “It is a big milestone making this happen.”
Raising the dam was the most cost-effective plan, as other options included building a pipeline to the Kentucky River, buying water from the city of Richmond and an option called indirect potable use — that of disinfecting and reusing reclaimed wastewater.
Mayor Bruce Fraley also spoke about the approval of the project and its importance.
“This is a major milestone hurdle that has been cleared in the Owsley Fork Reservoir project … ,” Fraley said. “I also want to thank Mr. Stone because he has been there all along the way, and I understand this has been in the discussion phase since you were on the council Mr. Stone, 25 to 30 years ago. This is a big deal, and I just want you all to understand how important this is for our city.”
Council members also praised the approval from the federal authorities to move forward. Council members Jerry Little and Jim Davis also thanked Stone in his efforts to get the approval.
“People don’t think about it until they don’t have any water,” Little said. “This has been a long process, and it is a really important time to get our water in place.”
“I am excited about the dam at Owsley Fork,” Davis smiled. “It has been something that has been of special interest to me since I ran for city council, and it is good to see progress being made, so thanks to all that worked on it.”
Source: richmondregister.com
