The next step to fill cracks spotted at the dam at Lake Bryan means bringing down the lake level.
BTU group manager David Werley says the lake remains open to recreational uses and it will not impact power plant operations.
Werley says county and state officials have been notified water will be removed by pumps and moved into a dry creek bed for a couple of miles, before it enters Thompson Creek.
Werley says the lake will be near the normal operating level before state officials requested it raised about one and a half years ago.
It is expected to take seven to ten days to fill cracks in a 600 foot area. Then the dam will be inspected to determine what to do next.
Click below for comments from David Werley, visiting with WTAW’s Bill Oliver:
News release from the city of Bryan:
Bryan Texas Utilities is reducing the water level of Lake Bryan at the direction of our engineer, as repair work to the dam continues. The level is being reduced by using pumps that feed the water through the spillway structure into a nearby tributary, eventually running into Thompson Creek. Residents living near Creekside Dr. off FM 1687 may notice more water running in the creek than usual. The controlled pumping will aid the construction work being performed by reducing the water load and allowing better access to the dam levee system.
“This is the next step in repairing the dam.” David Werley, BTU Group Manager of Business and Customer Operations said. “As the water level is being lowered we will continue working with Brazos County and City of Bryan officials to monitor the tributary and downstream conditions.”