Drought Not Only Issue Leading to Low Water Levels at Deegan Lake as City, State DEP to Review Dam
By Jeff Toquinto on September 10, 2024
The significant drop of water at Deegan Lake is largely a result of what many have suspected – the ongoing drought. However, at Monday’s Bridgeport City Council meeting City Engineer Beth Fox said there is another contributing factor that has to be dealt with.
During a work session prior to Monday’s meeting, Fox told the city’s governing body that investigation of the lake showed water entering the dam embankment area, most likely through the dam wall.
“Going back to 1979 inspections, there has been evidence of water going through wall and out through the embankment behind the dam,” 
said Fox. “As expected, it is getting progressively worse with every year.”
said Fox. “As expected, it is getting progressively worse with every year.”
Fox read from a 1979 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report on the lake that discussed the issue. City Attorney Dean Ramsey said it was also an issue at a later point decades ago and concrete repairs were done to help alleviate – but not fix – the leak, while Fox said the leak was looked at again during the 2007 reclamation project on the dam.
“In 2007 they rebuilt the embankment behind the wall … They also knew there was an issue,” said Fox, who would not be with the city until many years later. “It wasn’t enough to consider addressing it at that time.”
The main contributor, said Fox, is the drought that has the lake level down more than 10 feet. However, the leak has added to the problem and has gotten worse since the last annual inspection by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.
Fox’s staff, with the assistance of the Bridgeport Fire Department last week, used the city’s camera system to investigate the pipe system and found the issues with water inundating the system. That, she said, is exasperating the situation. However, she again emphasized the matter is not an emergency event.
The drought may be pushing the problem, but it also allowed for the inspection of the dam and the riser. The riser is the concrete pillar near the dam wall where Fox’s staff investigated to find the suspected area of the issue.
“Rain would bring the level of water up, but does not eliminate the leak,” said Fox.
Fox is meeting with WVDEP dam safety staff this morning at 9 a.m. The parties involved will look at the issues recorded, and information gathered to determine future impacts and to get in a better position to develop a plan of action.
“Costs to repair dams can be extensive,” said Fox.
Fox did not speculate on the cost or how long it would take to fix. If possible, a phased approach could be utilized, and money escrowed to address a permanent fix. A lot of what happens will come as a result of this morning’s meeting.
Ramsey, who lives near the lakes, has lived in the city for 54 years, and has worked for the city than any other staff member of contractor of the city. He said this is the lowest he has ever seen it.
The work session also had discussion on a water rate study that will provide rate increases in four phases. Council listened to the explanations on the increase that the Bridgeport Utility Board recommended and then passed it on first reading during the regular session.
The rate increase’s last phase will begin July 1, 2027. Each phase goes into place on July 1 of the previous year with the exception of this year’s increase, which would go into place 45 days after Council’s potential approval at the Sept. 23 Council meeting.
The increased rates and charges for water service will allow the city to meet on-going increases in daily operation and maintenance expenses, cover debt service requirements and fund and maintain a capital reserve account as required by Senate Bill 234 that went into effect on June 12.
Other than passing on rate increases from the Clarksburg Water Board (CWB), where the city purchases its water, there has been no increase for several years. The proposed rate increases by Bridgeport include future rate increases already announced by the CWB.
Anyone wishing to ask questions about the increase will have two opportunities to do so. There will be a public hearing at the Bridgeport Municipal Complex on Set. 16, next Monday, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. City staff will be on hand to answer questions at that meeting.
Also, during the second – and final – reading of the ordinance at the Sept. 23 meeting that begins at 7 p.m. there will be a public hearing. City staff will again be on hand, along with Michael D. Griffith, CPA, of Griffith & Associates, PLLC, to answer questions. Griffith’s firm did the rate study for Bridgeport.
Also, under new business Council approved a pair of striping contracts, both with CK Services, LLC, out of Fairmont. The first one was for a $10,000 contract and a 10 percent contingency ($11,000) for the striping of city streets. The second one approved was for a $20,500 contract and a 10 percent contingency ($22,550) for the striping of city parking lots.
Under unfinished business, Council approved on second and final reading an ordinance amending the Planned Unit Development (PUD) of Phase I of the White Oaks Business Park. The amendment is for an 11.48-acre tract known as “Oakwood Estates.” The area is for a multi-million-dollar residential development already under way.
Council discussed the city manager’s position and legal issues. Those two items were discussed in executive session.
Editor's Note: Top photo, courtesy of Jason Stallman, shows the massive water drop at Deegan Lake, while in the second photo Council member Clayton Rice, middle on the left with, on the left Jon Griffith and on the right Don Burton, asks City Engineer Beth Fox about dredging the lake while it is down. Although not dismissed, Mayor Andy Lang said it would be wise to get a grasp on costs for the dam work before allocating dollars elsehwere. Third image shows the multi-phase rate increase.
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