MATTHEWS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Two pond dams – one of which nearly broke following heavy rains last year — will be the subject of studies, after funds for the initiative were approved by the Matthews Board of Commissioners Monday night.
On Oct. 14, the town board approved funding for hydraulic and hydrologic (H&H) studies to be performed for the dams off Chipwood Lane. The studies, to be conducted by engineering firm WithersRavenel, are necessary to comply with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.
NCDEQ officials told the town that the dams do not meet minimum standards for high-hazard dams to pass a 1/3 Probably Maximum Precipitation storm without overtopping.
The conversation was spurred by fear one of the dams would fail due to heavy rainfall. Last August, the town authorized crews to pump millions of gallons out of the pond to end the breach threat.
On Monday, the board approved the reallocation of $48,000 from the town’s General Fund for the H&H studies. They will assess current conditions of the dams and make recommendations to meet design standards of N.C. Dam Safety regulations. After the studies are complete, staff will likely have to hire an engineering firm to develop design/construction plans per the H&H recommendations.
No timetable was given for the studies to be completed.
