FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2017
Contact:
Tim Nyander
Utilities Director
479-575-8386
tnyander@fayetteville-ar.gov
Tree Removal to Take Place at Lake Fayetteville Dam
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The City’s Utilities Department will be removing several trees from the Lake Fayetteville dam over the summer. The sycamore trees on the lake side (east) of the dam pose a threat to the integrity of the dam, and therefore must be removed.
Growth of the trees’ roots into the dam could lead to “piping” (an erosion process) failure. As water is carried through a dam, it slowly takes material from the dam core with it, threatening the structural integrity. During high water levels, the root balls of the sycamore trees are under water. If extremely high winds were to pick up during these high water levels, the trees could be blown over – causing an immediate failure of the dam. These dangers pose a risk to all people, property, homes, and businesses downstream of the dam.
The Lake Fayetteville dam is classified as a high-risk dam by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC). This classification is given to all dams in the state that would have a loss of human life if they were to fail. The utilities department is removing the trees to ensure the safety of the citizens downstream of the dam.
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