In the shadow of brilliant fall colors, work on Lake Vesuvius dam continues to progress, forest officials said.

Monday, October 15, 2001

In the shadow of brilliant fall colors, work on Lake Vesuvius dam continues to progress, forest officials said.

Rock face plates have been removed from the dam and soil is being stored in preparation for the roller-compacted concrete procedures that will reinforce the aging structure, Wayne National Forest district ranger Mike Baines said in an Oct. 1 report.

The work is "progressing on schedule" as a concrete batch plant was expected to be in place by the middle of the month, Baines said.

This batch plant – to be placed at the boat dock parking lot – will make the specialized concrete that will cover the face of the dam.

The historic rock face plates, which have protected the dam from erosion since 1939, were stored. They will be replaced in their original positions once concrete work is finished.

About four to five feet of soil from the dam has been stored, and used to make a "coffer dam" to protect the project in case of a heavy rain and hold back water used to cure the roller-compacted concrete.

The dam rehabilitation contract was awarded in late August to T-C Inc. of Indianapolis, Ind., for just over $3.7 million, which met with positive reaction from forestry officials.

The dam was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1939. Changes in dam safety standards resulted in the need to make improvements to the historic structure. While studies have shown the dam to be structurally sound, the reconstruction work will focus on strengthening the dam so it can withstand extreme flood events, if they were to occur.

Visitors to Lake Vesuvius are reminded to stay behind the orange fencing surrounding the work area. The beach road is now closed, as is the parking lot below the dam. The roadside shelter remains open, and is the beginning of the dam overlook trail.

For more information, and more pictures of the dam rehabilitation work, check out the Wayne National Forest Web page (http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/wayne).