Lake Lure Reservoir Drain Commissioned
Celebrating a Milestone
On March 26, the Lake Lure Reservoir Drain was successfully commissioned, marking a major milestone in a complex and rewarding dam rehabilitation effort.
Lake Lure Dam, a nearly 100-year-old, high hazard dam, is a 120-foot-tall concrete multiple-arch buttress structure. Schnabel Engineering has been proud to support the Town of Lake Lure, North Carolina through a comprehensive program of assessment, design, and construction-phase services. To meet NCDEQ Dam Safety requirements and improve operational safety and flexibility, Schnabel designed a retrofit low-level outlet (reservoir drain). The reservoir drain is a critical feature enabling safe lake drawdown for maintenance and emergency response. The new reservoir drain, installed by Morgan Corp., includes a concrete bulkhead with a hinged door, a 72-inch steel-lined penstock, and dual-valve control system.
During the design phase, Schnabel performed extensive evaluations including underwater dive inspections, finite element modeling, and hydrologic/hydraulic analyses. Innovative engineering and construction solutions were required to install the reservoir drain while maintaining a full reservoir. The updated structure is designed for safety, long-term durability, and future adaptability with the planned replacement dam.
We congratulate the entire team for this achievement in this landmark project!