Council approves $92,571 amendment to Panola Shoals stream restoration contract after storm damage

Stonecrest — The council authorized a $92,571 contract amendment to provide additional engineering and design services for the Panola Shoals stream bank restoration project after two major rain events caused substantial erosion and site changes.

Staff explained that heavy storms during construction created unforeseen damage and exposed bank infrastructure, prompting emergency stabilization work and a need to re‑evaluate the design. City consultants CIRM provided emergency engineering services to stabilize the site, perform a scour analysis and adjust designs to new site conditions. The amendment compensates CIRM for work completed and for continued engineering oversight through project completion; funding will come from SPLOST.

CIRM’s representative described the hydraulic conditions at the site, noting the volume of water during the events greatly exceeded the project’s original design assumptions and created a “hydraulic jump” that accelerated erosion. Engineers said a completed scour analysis will define block sizes and bank protections needed to resist future flows; the analysis was expected within approximately two weeks and will be incorporated into revised construction documents.

The council approved the amendment after asking questions about timing and the scope of remaining work. Staff estimated the significant weather events had delayed the overall timeline by roughly six months and said they were working to proceed as quickly as feasible while ensuring the redesigned bank protection would perform under current rainfall patterns.