LEWISVILLE (WBAP & KLIF News) — Repairs to the Lake Lewisville Dam have completed after nearly a year’s worth of work to repair damage caused by flooding during the spring of 2015.
The fix was supposed to cost around six million dollars, but the total ended up being closer to eight million due to unexpected setbacks, including inclement weather and a minor rock slide in the area that was initially damaged.
“They say success has many mothers and fathers,” congressman Pete Sessions said. “Today, we’re here today to say thank you.”
He thanked the US Army Corps of Engineers, who oversaw research and repairs of the dam. A report came out last year indicating that if the dam failed, the results would be catastrophic for North Texas, including over 400,000 affected people, billions of dollars in damage, and a downtown Dallas potentially 50-feet under water.
“We are well aware of what’s at stake,” said dam safety manager Sarwenaj Ashraf. “We know there’s a very big population that’s downstream of the structure.”
Ashraf said any worry stirred up by last year’s report can be put to rest, and that even she would feel safe and comfortable buying a house right by the earthen dam.
The efforts were fast-tracked with federal relief after Sessions and congressman Michael Burgess of Denton pushed for assistance.