SerpApi.Org
Smallwood Lake could return to its normal legal level by late September if the refill process begins in early August, according to a new update from the Four Lakes Task Force.
As Smallwood Dam approaches substantial completion, the task force is preparing property owners for a refill process that will depend heavily on rainfall, river flows and regulatory requirements.
Refilling the lake requires the dam to slow the flow of water through the river system so the lake level can gradually rise. However, a minimum amount of water must continue flowing through the dam to protect the natural river system downstream.
Below-normal rainfall forecast for the remainder of the summer and early fall could result in lower-than-average river flows, leaving less water available to refill the lake while maintaining the required downstream flow.
The refill is also subject to dam safety requirements. The lake level may rise by no more than one foot per day, and the refill plan requires the lake to remain at its winter elevation for at least two weeks before rising to its final level.
Under ideal conditions with sufficient rainfall, the fastest the lake could refill would be 23 days.
Starting from an estimated pool elevation of 696 feet, it would take about five days to reach the winter-level hold point of 701.3 feet. The lake would then remain at that elevation for two weeks before taking another four days to reach its normal legal elevation of 704.6 feet.
Pool elevation is the elevation above sea level of a water surface behind a dam.
Based on expected rainfall, required downstream flows and the two-week hold period, however, the task force estimates the refill will take about 57 days.
If the process begins in early August, Smallwood Lake is expected to reach its normal legal level in late September.
The task force said it will continue to provide updates to property owners as the refill approaches and progresses.
Property owners are also being asked to complete basic shoreline cleanup in the final days before refill. Removing loose materials and other debris could help reduce the amount that collects along shorelines, moves into cuts, or floats toward the dam as the water rises.
