Engineers recommend updated emergency plan, mapping and targeted repairs after Fallon County dam inspection

A consultant presented a preliminary dam inspection to Fallon County commissioners and urged a mix of near‑term maintenance and longer‑term technical studies for the Upper and Lower Lake dams.

Key near‑term recommendations included updating the dams’ Emergency Action Plan (EAP), installing a simple level indicator and documenting readings, removing debris from box culvert approaches and week‑to‑week monitoring of a storm‑drain outlet where seepage was observed. The consultant said those measures are straightforward and could be handled by county staff or coordinated with DNRC and DES.

For higher‑priority capital and technical work, the consultant recommended updated breach‑analysis and inundation mapping, a full geotechnical analysis (including core samples and instrumentation) to assess slope stability and seepage risk, and consideration of methods to dewater or otherwise manage reservoir levels. Commissioners raised concerns about costs, who would perform ongoing monitoring, and the timing — several recommended items show due dates in 2026 in the consultant’s draft. The consultant suggested exploring DNRC funding or cost‑share opportunities and said some items can be completed using data the county already has from previous lake projects.

No binding procurement or contract authorization occurred at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to identify budget implications and potential funding sources and to discuss options for combining inspection work into upcoming budget planning.