Need help now!!!

[basspro48]

Last year during tropical storm Gaston we recieved 14 inches of rain in 6 hours. During this storm the water level in our 45 acre lake rose 3 feet and started to spill over the dam. Well at about 1 a.m. the dam finally gave way and water rushed through like a raging river.  

Now a year later I have seen cost estimates for rebuilding and it is insane, over $158,000, does anyone know how these costs can be cut. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Lake after the storm:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/Homer_Simpson/damage%20pics/lake_after.jpg

Lake before the storm:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/Homer_Simpson/damage%20pics/lake_before.jpg

[Kendammit]

was it an earthen dam or what?

[nwgabassmaster]

One would think.   :

It would be a huge undertaking, depending on the size of the hole that gave way.  

[Kendammit]

it doesn't have to be  :

just put the question out there to drag more info into the discussion to maybe help the guy out...sorry about that.

[basspro48]

Yes it was an earthen dam, the hole is about 30 feet across. The thing I'm really worried about is that the whole dam has big cracks in the dirt and we might have to rebuild the whole dam.

 

( I would like to not that the pictures were taken while standing on the dam )

[Kendammit]

really unfortunate that such a great looking fishing spot would cost so much just to repair.  I don't know a lot about dam building myself, but I am sure theres someone here who has to know something.  My guess would be that if theres a lot of cracks in the dam all the way across it, you are probably right.  Replacing the whole thing could save you a headache or 10 in the long run.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

There is a lake on my route that the same thing happened to.  The neighborhood has been raising the money (125k) over the last 2 yrs and should make their goal this winter.  Sad to see the lake so low for so long but....

Anyway, my point is that the neighborhood has to pay themselves.

[basspro48]

That's exactly the problem. There's only 9 houses in my "neighborhood". Plus I recently got a report saying that it will cost $58,000 just for the engineers to run some tests and workout some paperwork.

And the people around just don't have the money.

[bassaddict62]

Wow-quite a financial blow. Looks like it was a great lake. Good luck on rebuilding.

[cgs2004]

I have a friend who just recently dug his own 3 acre lake in Missouri.  He was actaully able to cut a good deal with the State of Missouri (Wildlife Dept. I would guess).  They were more than willing to help cover some costs.  I guess its their way of improving the fishing habitat in the State.  They also helped out in the stocking process.  I think it would be worth your while to try and hit up your State's Wildlife Dept. as well and see what they would be willing to do.

[chitwnbass]

Just a thought. Mycommunitty had to build a huge earthen berm arond a park for some reason. Im not sure why but I know instead of taking it all out of the village budget they struck a deal with a construction company. They let the company dump extra clay rocks and dirt there from a road project as long as they constructed the berm. This both benifitted the construction company who needed a place to put the debris and my community that needed a berm. Dont know all the details how this was exactly set up but hope this may help.

[Matt Fly]

I saw an ad in the paper. He allowed construction sites to dump on his land. Old concrete foundations, big rocks and other debris. He used this stuff as a filler I guess. He allowed dumping for a couple of years. Then rented the bulldozer and operator to complete the new dam. The dam and tank was built to stop the soil errosion on the lower half of his property. The tank is approx 4 acres and 20ft at the front of the dam. He has left an area to the right of the dam to be utilized like a spill way to relieve pressure. That is the only area he poured concrete. A friend who owned the dozer did all his dirt work. He pushed the dam and contour. He made about $38,000 clear for three weeks of work. I think the owner (rancher) supplied diesel and hydraulic fluids. Larry said he usually makes about 50k for building the earthen dam and giving it a depth of 20ft for 4 acres.