Dam project pushed back

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LCNN - 10-23-2009 at 09:09 PM

Commonwealth Journal - Somerset — Problems with directional drilling of pilot holes have delayed work at Wolf Creek Dam and pushed back the projected completion of the dam rehabilitation project to December 2012, about two months later than the contract deadline.

David Hendrix, project manager for the $584 million repair project, said the delay also will mean evaluation of the level of Lake Cumberland won’t be done at least until December 2010, about two months later than projected. Engineers said earlier when the permanent wall has been installed in two critical areas of the dam by next October the current lake level could be evaluated.

Tourism interests around Lake Cumberland have been clinging to the October 2010 evaluation of the dam repair progress that might allow the level of Lake Cumberland to be raised, hopefully 10 feet, for the 2011 vacation season.

Despite the projected delay, Hendrix didn’t rule out the possibility of a higher lake level during summer 2011. “Even if we could make the evaluation as late as March (2011) spring rains could allow a change in the lake level,” he said.

Problems with drilling pilot holes, 8 inches in diameter, have caused the delay, Hendrix explained. The pilot holes are guides for 50-inch circular shafts that will be backfilled with concrete to form the permanent barrier wall. Three of the large holes have been completed in Technique Area 1, one of two test areas to determine integrity of the work, Hendrix noted.
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quickiemonster - 10-25-2009 at 01:02 PM

Don't they know the world is going to end on December 21, 2012?

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ImaPoser - 10-25-2009 at 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by quickiemonster Don't they know the world is going to end on December 21, 2012?

That's the idea. Put the completion date any time after that, and there's no need to really do anything except have guys on the site looking busy. No one will ever know you aren't actually doing anything.

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CountryBP - 10-26-2009 at 03:26 PM

They can stay as long as they like. I am enjoying the Business!!

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Hadtohavit - 10-26-2009 at 03:53 PM

IF the "tourists" do not return when the water does....

What are "they" going to blame it on ?

I say this because in my opinion... the lake has not looked better in the 15 years that I have been coming down here. The scenery ... bluffs... islands... and shale beaches are beautiful.

Not sayin that I would want it to stay this low... Just sayin that it ain't all that bad.

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FARRIS2121 - 10-27-2009 at 12:42 PM

I agree with that Hadtohavit - but it could stand to go up 10 or 20 feet.......

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CountryBP - 10-27-2009 at 01:33 PM

Big News Maybe Breaking TODAY on this project. Corps in town and supposed to be some big meetings. More to follow.

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kdfwr911 - 10-27-2009 at 01:39 PM

Keep us updated BP.

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Bim - 10-27-2009 at 07:19 PM

Any news BP? Anybody know what's going on? Seems to me that the repairs may not be going as well as they hoped.

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Lock5 - 10-27-2009 at 09:12 PM

It will be finished, Not on time, overbudget, and most likey not correctly.

Remember, it is a Government project...............

Just because it's our favorite hole of water, It's still a government project.

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CountryBP - 10-28-2009 at 12:04 PM

Took till this morning to hear ---

They are going to procede. There are some problems. From the Contractor side - they say the Corps is Knocking them around for whatever reason the Corps has to do this.

At press time - I haven't heard from the Corps.

There was quite a bit of concern that there would be a shut down - but apparently not now.

Just happy everyone is gonna keep on working!!

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