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High Point Lake Drained Early Due to Dam Seepage
22 Oct
Summary
- Engineers discovered seepage at the dam's auxiliary spillway and embankment.
- The full drawdown was moved up from August 2025 for safety reasons.
- A $5.5 million rehabilitation project is planned for the dam.
Engineers discovered seepage at High Point Lake's auxiliary spillway and dam embankment, prompting an early, full drawdown. This decision, a safety precaution, moved the process forward from its originally planned August 2025 timeline. The partial drawdown allowed for inspections under dry conditions, confirming structural concerns that necessitated the accelerated water level reduction.
The gradual drawdown, expected to take six to eight weeks depending on rainfall, aims to redirect water flows away from the affected spillway. This process is preparatory for a significant dam rehabilitation project. While the lake remains open for fishing and boating, visitors are cautioned about muddy shorelines.
A $5.5 million project is underway to rehabilitate the dam, including building a new embankment and spillway to meet safety standards. Permitting for this project was in progress in 2025, with construction anticipated to start in autumn 2026 or spring 2027. The rehabilitation is expected to take approximately 1.5 years to complete.
