A packed crowd at Tucker City Hall on Jan. 16 learned more details about two major long-overdue dam repair projects at Johns Homestead and Henderson parks.
Lake Erin Dam in Henderson Park is rated as a Category 1 Dam because of its height, drainage basin, and potential loss of life if it ever failed.
According to the presentation materials, inspection reports dating back to at least 2010 show deficiencies that include vegetation on the dam, seepage, blocked outlet structure, insufficient spillway design, and potential overtopping of the dam.
The city took over maintenance responsibility in early 2024 and began planning for repairs, which will include the replacement of approximately 60 percent of the dam’s structure and installation of sediment control measures.
City engineer Ken Hildebrandt said the project will cost about $3 million to complete and take at least six months. DeKalb County will kick in about $1.4 million from American Rescue Funds for the repair.
Several areas of the park, including the playground and some trails, will not be accessible during the process. The entrance to the dog park will be relocated as well.
Two dams at Johns Homestead have many of the same deficiencies, said Andrea Greco, a landscaping architect/project manager at Root Design.
The $3.8 million project will involve fixes to the dam, revegetation of the area using native plants, restocking the lake with vegetation and fish, and replacing several bridges.
Greco said so-called “fishing rodeos” have been held to naturally reduce the population, and that other measures will be taken to save as many fish as possible before the work begins.