The dredging

of Lake Peachtree is ahead of schedule, Fayette County consulting engineer

Jim Mallett reported Wednesday to the county's Water Committee.

Although the

contract allows the work to last until September, it appears the project

will be complete much sooner, Mallett said. That means Peachtree City

residents will likely be getting Drake Field back sooner than expected.

The field is

being used to dry out the silt that has been dredged from the lake bottom.

The silt must dry before it is trucked away.

There is a

chance the project may be completed in time for the city's annual July

4th festivities, Mallett said.

The field is

a popular spot for locals who want to watch the city's annual fireworks

show over Lake Peachtree.

The Fayette

County Commission chose to spend more money on the dredging project so

it could avoid having to dramatically lower the level of the lake. The

extra funds were already on hand because of a special account at the water

department which set aside the money.

The lake is

being dredged by two barges that vacuum up the silt from the lake floor

and transport it to Drake Field through a pipe system.

Since the lake

didn't need to be drained for the project, the county avoided possible

environmental problems for the creatures that live in and around the lake.

It also allows the county to have its normal amount of water on hand in

case drought conditions strike.

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