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Augusta council approves engineering design contract for Santa Fe Lake dam repair
Summary
Augusta approved an engineering services agreement with JEO (JO/JO Consulting language appears in the minutes) to design repairs at Santa Fe Lake that preserve the lake level and meet agency freeboard requirements; staff said the chosen design could cost roughly 25% of a traditional levee-raising alternative. Council approved the agreement by voice vote.
Augusta council voted to approve an engineering services agreement to design repairs at Santa Fe Lake, moving the long-running project into the formal design phase. Staff said the approach will preserve the lake water surface elevation while meeting state agency freeboard requirements.
City Engineer Brad Sunder told the council the existing weir is failing and that simply replacing it 'in kind' would force the city to lower the lake, creating significant downstream impacts. Working with JEO, staff proposed extending the top of the berm with a concrete retaining structure and replacing the weir in kind, plus limited fill in a north area the agencies identified as problematic. Sunder said the plan satisfies agency requirements and avoids lowering the lake.
Sunder described the solution as 'innovative' and estimated it could be roughly 25% of the cost of the traditional levee-raising option, while acknowledging it remains an expensive construction program. Staff also said they will pursue a grant to help offset costs but cautioned the grant process is not guaranteed.
During the meeting staff said the city intends to use water sales tax funds to pay the city share for design and eventual construction. A council member moved to approve the agreement with JO Consulting Group (transcript names JEO/JO inconsistently) for Santa Fe Lake Dam Design for a total estimated cost stated in the minutes as 'not to exceed 398,55940' and the motion carried on a voice vote.
The council did not specify a construction schedule at the meeting beyond the stated intent to pursue a grant and proceed through design and permitting. Next steps are to complete design, seek grant funding, and return to council for contract awards for construction.
