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After large bid shortfall, Fayette County staff favor dam breaching to address Safe Dam compliance
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Summary
Environmental staff told the Board Kozisek and Phillips Lake dam repair bids far exceeded original estimates, creating a multimillion-dollar shortfall; staff and commissioners signaled a preference to explore breaching as a lower-cost compliance option while pursuing increased state grant support.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — Fayette County’s Environmental Management team told commissioners at the May 9 retreat that repair bids for two Category I dams — Kozisek and Phillips Lake (Longview) — exceeded earlier budgets and left a substantial funding gap, prompting staff to recommend exploring breaching as a fiscally viable alternative.
Transportation Engineer Christian Smith and Environmental Management Director Bryan Keller reviewed the Safe Dam Act requirements and presented options that include upgrading the dams, breaching them, modifying downstream flood-risk structures, or removing at-risk downstream facilities. Smith said the County’s 2020 estimate had put total project cost near $5.1 million with a $1.8 million grant; actual bids produced an $8.7 million shortfall compared with the earlier estimate, largely because construction inflation has increased costs since the original design.
Keller said staff consulted with GEMA and that additional grant support is possible; GEMA indicated the County might reach a 75% grant share if the County completes the paperwork and timelines required. Still, in Board discussion staff and some commissioners expressed concern about continuing to rebid increasingly expensive rebuilds. Public Works Director Phil Mallon summarized staff preference to pursue a breach option and said staff would return with estimated costs and timelines for breaching and related road or access mitigation if required.
Why it matters: Category I dams are regulated because failure could cause probable loss of life or substantial downstream damage; the County must comply with state Safe Dam rules but also manage limited capital and SPLOST resources. The decision to rebuild or breach carries tradeoffs in downstream flood control, recreation, environmental permitting and long-term maintenance obligations.
Next steps: Staff will develop breaching cost estimates and timelines, continue grant discussions with GEMA, and bring a recommended path forward to the Board for a formal decision.