Lake Peachtree dredging may wrap up in time for July 4th

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

The dredging of Lake Peachtree is ahead of schedule, Fayette County consulting engineer Jim Mallett reported Wednesday to the county's Water Committee.

Although the contract allows the work to last until September, it appears the project will be complete much sooner, Mallett said. That means Peachtree City residents will likely be getting Drake Field back sooner than expected.

The field is being used to dry out the silt that has been dredged from the lake bottom. The silt must dry before it is trucked away.

There is a chance the project may be completed in time for the city's annual July 4th festivities, Mallett said.

The field is a popular spot for locals who want to watch the city's annual fireworks show over Lake Peachtree.

The Fayette County Commission chose to spend more money on the dredging project so it could avoid having to dramatically lower the level of the lake. The extra funds were already on hand because of a special account at the water department which set aside the money.

The lake is being dredged by two barges that vacuum up the silt from the lake floor and transport it to Drake Field through a pipe system.

Since the lake didn't need to be drained for the project, the county avoided possible environmental problems for the creatures that live in and around the lake. It also allows the county to have its normal amount of water on hand in case drought conditions strike.