Master plan expected to help city officials decide to keep or remove dam
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
Engineering consultant Ayres Associates, Inc. will move forward with an Echo Lake Park Master Planning project under a contract unanimously approved Tuesday by the Burlington Common Council.
The council discussed the matter on March 1 and plans on using the study to better understand the total impact of removing the Echo Lake Dam and restoring the White River and Honey Creek to their natural state. The plan will also examine ways to improve the lake if the dam is retained.
Ayres Associates, Inc., which will perform the study for up to $64,000, has previously provided conceptual designs with cost estimates to modify the non-compliant dam.
Findings from a 2015 Dam Failure Analysis showed the Echo Lake Dam is classified as a significant hazard dam and cannot withstand a 500-year flood without overtopping Echo Park’s embankment.
The city must either modify or remove the dam by 2025 to achieve compliance from the state Department of Natural Resources.
Peter Riggs, director of public works, said on March 1 the master planning proposal would include two different scenarios – one with dam modification and one with dam removal.
“The scope includes additional modeling to understand the impacts of dam removal on the White River and Honey Creek in the impoundment area and upstream of the impoundment area,” Riggs wrote in March 1 memorandum. “The scope of service will also explore park enhancements that could accompany a dam modification and/or dredging project.”
The master planning proposal, he added, would offer more thorough information for the Common Council and community to consider for a potential referendum targeted for the Nov. 8 General Election.
However, while improving the dam would maintain the status quo, the Common Council sought additional information on how removing the structure would affect the community as well as potential enhancements for the Echo Lake area.
City officials previously noted the drained lake bed can be used for a variety of enhancements ranging from trails, boardwalks, bridges overlooking the White River, fishing piers, kayak launches, ponds, among other features.
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