Reasoning for the dam work being done this week

Email from the Director of Public Works
Mark,
You are exactly right, Mr. Perugini and myself both explained our concerns of timing. The County officials said that it was "prudent" to have it done on the 6th due to the fact that the river will meet mean-low water level and it would take another month to for the river reach that low. And there are large voids in the apron at the bottom of the dam. For more technical answers residents can call the County Engineer Joe D'Abundo at 645-5898.
Hope this answers your questions. Thanks again for your help.
Also, we are only lowering the level just so the water is not coming over the spillway. So it won't be dangerously low for boaters. And as soon as Walker Diving is done making repairs we will close the gate.

Bill

Lake to be lowered for dam repairs

I as well as a few people that have emailed me do question the reasoning for doing it this week. With the 4th falling on a Wed many homeowners / campers will be taking long weekends. If it only a few inches that’s ok, however if it’s lowered to an unsafe level for boating, people will be upset. If you would like to voice your concern please attend the Township Committee Meeting Monday 7/2.

From Hamilton Twp Director of Public Works

"Lake Lenape update June 29, 2007

During the ongoing inspection and repair work on the Lenape Dam facilities, O’Brien and Gere Engineers, the contracted engineering firm for Atlantic County and Hamilton Township, have discovered some voids within the dam apron on the downstream areas of the spillway. It has been determined that it is advisable to fill these voids at this time. Atlantic County has authorized the dive team of O’Brien and Gere to grout these voids on July 6, 2007. In preparation of this work the lake level will be lowered enough to avoid overflow over the dam on that date, when divers and contractors are in the water. Water levels will begin to be adjusted accordingly beginning on or about July 4, 2007. Lakefront residents will be notified by email, phone or directly to advise them of the upcoming work. It is anticipated the lake levels will be lowered one to two inches over present conditions for this limited period of time.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to the boating public or residents along the lake, however the importance of these repairs is a matter that must take precedence at this time. For further details about the repairs to be done, please contact County Engineer Joseph D”Abundo at 609-645-5856."

Freeholders OK $3.8M. Lake Lenape Park purchase (AC Press)

Link to article

County Purchases Lenape Park for Open Space

Press Release

Atlantic County will add to open space in Hamilton Township with the purchase of the 17.5-acre Lenape Park located along Lake Lenape in Mays Landing.

The county has agreed to accept the New Jersey Green Acres certified value of $3.815 million for the property, identified as block 588, lots 72 and 75.01, which has historically been used for park and recreation purposes. It currently includes a catering facility that will continue to honor existing contracts for catering services and park events through December 31, 2007 under conditions of a short-term lease agreement.

"This property adds much-needed open space in Hamilton Township and is adjacent to Lake Lenape Park, a county-owned recreational facility encompassing 1,921 acres," said Dennis Levinson, County Executive.

Funding for the acquisition is provided through the Atlantic County Open Space Trust Fund and the New Jersey Green Acres Program. An environmental audit and survey are in the process of being completed.

For more information, please contact Howard J. Kyle at (609) 343-2368.

Linda Gilmore
County of Atlantic
Administration
1333 Atlantic Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Voice: 609-343-2313 FAX: 609-343-2194 gilmore_linda@aclink.org

Response from the Director of Public Works about the recent lake level issues.

Mark,
I apologize for not reaching out to all the waterfront residents during this process of fixing the pipes. We put the notices on the website and Channel 2 but I do realize now that not everyone has access or chooses to use those forms of media. However I had a meeting at the County Park building with Clayton Ingersoll and now have all the addresses of all the residents who have waterfront property on the lake. I will be able to send out a letter to all waterfront residents the next time the lake gets lowered. As far as I know won't take place until November.

Gates #1 and 3 are now fully operational and we are waiting on plans for a permanent fix.

Also I am in the process of tracking down all email addresses to the waterfront residents too, would you have that and if so be willing to forward that info to me? Then I can send a mass email out before letters go out and this would give a little more notice to the residents.
I hope all your questions are answered and feel free to call me. I will be out of town from 6/18 - 6/22 and I can return your email or phone call on 6/25.

Hope all is well,
Bill
William L. Montag IV, CPWM
Director of Public Works
Township of Hamilton

If you live on Lake Lenape and would like to be notified via emailed when it will be lowered please send your email address to BMontag@townshipofhamilton.com

What is up with the Dam!

I totally realize the Township needed to inspect the dam gate and possibly do some work on them. However, to lower the lake without notice to a point that the homeowners boats are now sitting on dirt is inexcusable. How hard would it be for someone from the township to drive over to the ranger station and ask for a list of homeowners with boats, to at least give them a heads up. What is up with this Township?? The sidewalk screw up, the flood, now this.

Lenape Dam Gate Logbook Online

Hamiltion Township is now posting the status of the Lake Lenape Dam gates online. This along with the May 16th meeting and last weeks gate inspections is a huge step in the right direction. Lets keep the momentum going.