Repairs to the spillway at Huddleston Pond won’t occur until the spring, according to Peachtree City officials.

The fix was initially projected for this month, but the problem was more extensive than originally thought and the pond level has been lowered at the recommendation of the consulting engineering firm to reduce the risk of a dam breach, officials said.

Meanwhile, the lake’s appearance is unsightly to neighbors, with weeds and grass showing from the lake bottom. City officials will attempt to relocate remaining fish in the pond if necessary depending on the recommendation from wildlife experts.

The designs for the regrading and refortifying of the dam will be completed by mid-December, according to the city’s engineering department. Once that is done, the project can be put out for bids.

The project will likely begin in February, as wet weather anticipated for December and January would result in cost increases for the project, officials said.

News of the delay irked City Council member Cyndi Plunkett, who said staff should have made council aware of the delay when it was determined by the engineering firm.

The project has been sensitive to neighbors in the area because the man-made lake level had to be reduced because of the damage to the current spillway. The damage is due in part to root intrusion from trees in the area that will have to be removed as part of the fix, said City Manager Bernie McMullen.

login to post comments