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Comments Requested on Royal Lake Dam Rehabilitation Plan 

FAIRFAX, July 14, 2006—The USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking comments on the rehabilitation plan for the Royal Lake Dam in Fairfax County, Virginia.  The public can provide comments until August 31, 2006.  Interested individuals can view a hard copy of the plan at the Kings Park Library or the Pohick Regional Library.  An electronic version of the plan will be available from July 17 through August 31, 2006 at the following website location: ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/VA/Programs/watershed_info/pohick_creek_4.pdf

The Royal Lake Dam was built in 1977 and has helped relieve downstream flood damages for the past 29 years.  The dam was built by the NRCS in cooperation with the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (referred to as sponsors).  The dam was built to protect downstream residents and infrastructure from flooding. 

In order to upgrade the structure to meet current design and safety criteria, NRCS, in cooperation with the local sponsors, has developed a draft plan for the rehabilitation of the Royal Lake Dam.  The plan includes the following rehabilitation items:

  • Realign the auxiliary spillway about 45 degrees toward the dam and away from the existing townhouses.

  • Armor the auxiliary spillway with articulated concrete blocks.

  • Raise the training dikes using earthen embankments.

The lake will not be drained during construction.  The top of dam will not be raised.  The walking paths that are impacted will be relocated.  Some trees below the dam will be removed. 

The rehabilitated structure will have a new life expectancy of 70 years from the date the construction is complete.  Flood control will continue into the future and provide local residents with a safe structure that meets all the current design and safety standards. 

The estimated total cost of the project is $3,059,000.  The NRCS will pay 65% of the cost with the remaining cost being provided by Fairfax County.  The NRCS has requested federal funding for this project during fiscal year 2007. 

 The timeline to complete the project is as follows:

  • Obtain comments on the draft plan until August 31, 2006

  • Complete the final plan in early September 2006

  • Obtain federal funding in October 2006

  • Complete the final design by Spring 2007

  • Secure needed environmental permits by Spring 2007

  • Secure a contractor through bidding process by Summer 2007

  • Begin construction by Fall 2007

Specific inquiries about this rehabilitation plan can be referred to Braddock District Supervisor Sharon Bulova’s Office at (703) 425-9300 or email at Sharon.Bulova@fairfaxcounty.gov.

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