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Tucker updates dam projects; engineer warns of significant change orders after discovering unsuitable soils
Summary
City engineer reported progress on Lake Erin Dam rehabilitation (design by AECOM; construction contract awarded to JG Leoni for $2,570,000) and said contractors encountered unsuitable 'muck' that will trigger a substantial change order. Council also approved a $61,180 amendment to remove unsuitable soil at John's Homestead lower dam.
City of Tucker staff on Sept. 22 gave council updates on two park-related dam projects and asked for council approval of a lower-dam contract amendment at John's Homestead.
Lake Erin Dam: Ken (city engineer) said Lake Erin Dam is classified as a Category 1 dam — meaning failure could risk loss of life — and described years of deferred maintenance before the city assumed responsibility. He said the city secured permitting with the Corps of Engineers and EPD, had AECOM complete preliminary design and hydrology work, and awarded the construction contract to JG Leoni for $2,570,000. Ken said DeKalb County contributed $1,400,000 toward the rehabilitation.
During construction crews installed cofferdams, dewatered the lake and began excavation. Ken showed photos of the dewatering and removal of vegetation and explained that large areas of silt and organic "muck" cannot structurally support the required slopes and intake structures and therefore must be undercut and replaced with engineered fill. That excavation led to what he described as an unavoidable and "significant" change order; Ken said the bid was well under budget but the soils condition will require additional funds and staff will return with details and a proposed change order in the coming month.
John's Homestead lower dam: Rep (parks staff) presented a contract amendment C2024014P025782AMD002 for $61,180 to remove and dispose of unsuitable soil at the lower dam undercut area. Councilmember (Speaker 5) moved to approve the amendment; the motion was seconded and passed (7–0).
Why it matters: The Lake Erin rehabilitation addresses a dam with public-safety implications; unexpected soils conditions are raising costs and will be addressed through formal change orders and future council action. The approved $61,180 amendment for John's Homestead was explicitly tied to unsuitable soils discovered at the lower spillway excavation.
Next steps: Staff said they will bring the forthcoming change order(s) for Lake Erin Dam to council at an upcoming October meeting, and continue work at John's Homestead under the approved amendment. The timeline for Lake Erin remains weather-dependent; Ken said crews hope to avoid winter work and aim for a December-ish milestone if conditions allow.
