Critical Step in Mitigating Deegan Lake Woes Taken by City as Public Works Does Non-Related Dam Work
By Jeff Toquinto on September 26, 2024
The next step to find a fix to the leak at Deegan Lake Dam has been taken as additional work is also being done around the lake as water levels continue to decrease.
On Wednesday, Sept. 25, Bridgeport began the process of bringing on board a consultant to work with the city on a way to get an in-depth 
and total look at the leak contributing to the massive drop in water. The city is doing that by soliciting requests for proposals (RFPs) from qualified engineering firms.
and total look at the leak contributing to the massive drop in water. The city is doing that by soliciting requests for proposals (RFPs) from qualified engineering firms.
The consultant will be tasked with a structure investigation of the Deegan Lake dam and also produce a seepage analysis. Studies go back to the 1970s on the seepage, or leak, issue at the lake. However, there was generally enough rain coming in to make the issue a non-issue. The severe drought has seen the seepage continue with little to no rainwater coming into the lake.
At the end of the work, the consultant will be required to provide remediation alternatives for the work. Currently, City Engineer Beth Fox said what to do is unknown.
“The investigation will let us know where we’re at and whether this is a long-term fix or fix that can be done quickly,” she said. “There may be a possibility of doing reclamation work to help with the issue along with planning for a permanent fix. The direction is still up in the air until we get a full picture of what we’re dealing with.”
Fox said if a fix is deemed necessary and it is expense and can be done long term, the city could possibly begin to escrow money to fix the matter. The best-case scenario would be an immediate fix that can be done without a substantial financial commitment, but the consultant will provide those answers.
One bit of good news came on Sept. 10. On that day, Fox and other city officials met with the dam inspector with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. The DEP confirmed that the dam was not a threat to the area and backed the city’s assessment to bring aboard a consultant.
“The main point of the investigation was to see if there was any imminent and immediate danger, but we were told there was not,” said 
Fox.
Fox.
While the dam is facing issues, the drop of water well past 12 feet has allowed for other issues to be addressed. This week, Bridgeport Public Works has been doing maintenance work on the embankment and removing silt.
“Staff is cleaning the area as it is much easier to get the equipment in there with the water so low,” said Fox. “It will enhance the area for future recreational use and will also be more accommodating for fishermen.”
Also, public works assisted Bridgeport Parks and Recreation in removing the dock from the lake. It is being cleaned and will be put back in place.
Fox said once the issue is addressed, and once more rain arrives, the lakes will return to their previous states. She added that both Deegan and Hinkle Lake will be looked at in the study.
“It’s probably better to look at the dams as a whole in the event they may find another area that is an issue beyond what we believe right now,” said Fox. “It is better to identify everything as opposed to fixing one area and then having to address something else later.”
Editor's Note: Top two photos show city staff removing silt and doing other work made easier by the drought and dropping levels at Deegan Lake. Bottom photo shows just how far the lake has receded as the two poles shown is where the dock is situated. As noted, the low levels allowed the city to remove the dock for a thorough cleaning.
