One of the primary missions of the KLC is to maintain and upgrade the Nivers dam. Over the past decade, the KLC has completed well over $200,000 of major upgrades to the dam. Projects have included new coffer steel and concrete support to the upstream side of the dam, relining of the sluice pipe, repairing the sluice gate, replacing the old pedestrian bridge, and refacing several areas of the downstream side of the dam. None of these upgrades would have been possible without the generosity of our members.

Another project is now required to reface the deteriorating downstream main spillway and adjacent face of the dam. While a certain level of repairs will always be required to maintain an operational dam, we hope this project will be the last in this series of major upgrades, and will insure that the dam remains in good condition and fully operational for many years into the future.

As can be seen in this photo, the face of the main spillway is spalling and deteriorating. An area just west of the main spillway looks the same. This project will require chipping away approximately 6” of deteriorating concrete face, installing pins grouted into the remaining sound concrete dam, installing a grid of epoxy coated steel reinforcing bars, and forming and pouring a new concrete face to the main spillway and adjacent area. Approximately 620 square feet of concrete surface needs to be replaced. An added expense of this project will be the need for a crane to reach the face of the spillway in order to remove the demolished concrete facing.

Design of the repairs has been completed by Ed Horn, the same Professional Engineer who has designed the previous dam upgrades. Engineering and construction is expected to cost approximately $68,000 based on the low bid received by one of the experienced contractors who has successfully completed other major upgrades to the dam. Thanks to the Board’s yearly transfers from the General Fund, as well as member donations, we have a Dam Reserve Fund balance of approximately $52,000. However, to help close the gap between available funds and the cost of engineering and construction, we ask that all members consider making an additional donation to the Dam Reserve Fund a high priority this year. You can either make an extra donation to the Dam Reserve Fund when completing your 2020 KLC membership application or simply click on the DONATE button in the righthand column of this page. Thanks in advance for your support.

Remember the old adage – Without the dam, there would be no lake!