The City of Lynchburg and University of Lynchburg will hold a joint forum for residents and city and college stakeholders on Thursday, October 30 at 7 p.m. on the College Lake Dam study. The Open House will take place in the Community Meeting Room at the Lynchburg Public Library, 2315 Memorial Avenue.
Earlier this summer, the City, in close collaboration with University of Lynchburg, began a study to investigate potential solutions to the spillway inadequacy at College Lake Dam. The outcome of this study will help the City determine what actions should be taken to comply with new dam safety regulations adopted by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The Open House will provide attendees with an opportunity to hear about the progress of the study including the current schedule for study completion. In addition, members of the Study Team will be on hand to answer questions, and attendees will be encouraged to provide input regarding the proposed alternatives.
The Study Team will present two alternatives being considered: rehabilitating the dam to meet current dam safety regulations or removing the dam and constructing wetlands where the lakebed once existed. Other improvements are also being considered, such as creating a smaller lakebed, re-engineering wetlands, creating a forebay to help with ongoing sediment removal, restoring the stream to pre-dam conditions, and creating a pedestrian crossing under the roadway.
Throughout the summer, surveyors, engineers, and environmental scientists gathered information about the condition of College Lake and College Lake Dam. The results of these findings, along with information gathered from prior studies, including the overarching watershed management
program for the City, will provide a complete picture of the project area. Once all information is reviewed in a comprehensive manner, the City will be able to make the best decision regarding the future of College Lake Dam.
“We encourage anyone interested in the future of College Lake to come to the Open House,” said City Manager, Kim Payne. “We want to give citizens every opportunity to be heard and to be able to weigh in on this important matter.”
“University of Lynchburg looks forward to receiving public input on the future of College Lake,” said University of Lynchburg President, Kenneth Garren. “The lake is an important part of our history, and we want to be sure that, regardless of the course of action ultimately taken, everyone has an opportunity to participate in the process.”
Representatives from the City, University of Lynchburg, and the study contractor, URS Corporation, will be available at the Open House to answer questions and hear your feedback.
For more information, contact James Talian, Project Manager, City of Lynchburg, at 434.455.3953 or James.Talian@lynchburgva.gov or Shannon Brennan, Director of Media Relations, University of Lynchburg at 434.544.8609 or brennan.s@lynchburg.edu.
College Lake Dam was built in 1934 by the Virginia Department of Highways (now VDOT). The dam is 35.4 feet high and approximately 300 feet long with a 60-foot spillway. College Lake drains 22 square miles, mostly in Lynchburg with a small portion draining in Campbell County.
