Peachtree City is moving forward with the design and engineering of the spillway on Lake Peachtree that will feature a three-stage piano key weir (barrier) with a parapet wall.
A topic of discussion for the past several months, construction of the spillway that will meet Category 1 dam standards is expected to begin in August 2017 and be completed by June 2018.
Several potential spillway designs were considered prior to the selection of the three-stage piano key weir.
City Manager Jon Rorie said the model selected was the most cost-effective way to fit in the existing spillway channel.
The three stages pertain to the water levels to be managed by the new spillway. The lowest level will accommodate existing discharge rates while the second and third levels will accommodate much higher volumes of water flow.
The current spillway can handle eight inches of rain in 24 hours. The new spillway will be able to handle the state standard of 18 inches of rain in 12 hours.
The estimated cost of the spillway is $3.1 million, of which Fayette County will contribute $2 million. The city will have to determine how to fund the remainder of the project and if a cart bridge should be added near the spillway.
The Sept. 21 edition of The Citizen will provide more detail on the spillway project.
