Fayetteville is taking steps to enhance its stormwater infrastructure. The city government is poised to address the risks associated with a “high-hazard” private dam in the Arran Lakes neighborhood.
Private Dam for Fayetteville Stormwater Management
During an August 5th work session, the Public Services Department introduced a plan to reinforce the Arran Lakes West Dam, a private structure on the city’s southwestern edge near Hope Mills. The Fayetteville City Council unanimously supported the proposal, allowing staff to proceed with project development and design to protect the dam.
The proposal gained urgency after another private dam in Cumberland County, the Raycona Dam, failed during Tropical Storm Debby. The city’s Public Services Department indicated that their stormwater models show a slight increase in the risk of the Arran Lakes West Dam overtopping. Thus, the project is essential to prevent potential downstream impacts from other ongoing stormwater initiatives in the area.
Enhancing Fayetteville Stormwater Detention and Safety Standards
The planned project includes creating new water detention areas in a neighborhood with limited options for storing excess water, largely due to the residential developments in the vicinity. By expanding detention capacity, the city hopes to reduce overflow risks for a nearby Beaver Creek tributary and prevent any potential blockage of the city-maintained street that crosses the dam.
Additionally, the Arran Lakes West Dam does not currently meet certain state safety standards. The proposed project addresses these deficiencies, ensuring the dam’s compliance and enhancing overall safety in the area.
Cost Considerations and Project Feasibility
The estimated cost for this dam fortification project stands at approximately $8.5 million. This figure is significantly higher than alternative Fayetteville stormwater management solutions previously considered for the watershed.
These alternatives would require the city to undertake multiple localized detention projects alongside ten additional measures to manage stormwater in the watershed. Despite the higher cost, the city believes the Arran Lakes West Dam overtopping project offers the most effective and economical solution for protecting the area from potential flow changes.
Ongoing Concerns and Community Impact
Fayetteville residents have long been concerned about the risks of dam breaches, particularly as the city grows and extreme weather events become more frequent. The debate over who should be responsible for maintaining and repairing private dams has intensified. This is especially following the catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Matthew in 2016, which led to a legal battle between several homeowners’ associations and the city over dam restoration.
A nearby dam in the Arran Lakes neighborhood, which was also breached during Hurricane Matthew, remains a point of contention. The former HOA president expressed frustration over the lack of action to repair the dam, which has left the lake dry for years.
During the August work session, city officials acknowledged the challenges of working on a private dam. They noted that neighborhood consent and homeowner association involvement would be necessary. Despite these hurdles, the city sees significant cost savings and community benefits in progressing with the project.
Looking Ahead: Council Support and Next Steps
Fayetteville’s city leadership has strongly supported the project, with Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Jensen citing her experience with dam-related flooding as a reason for backing the initiative. With the City Council’s approval to begin developing the project design, city staff will continue to refine the plan and engage with the Arran Lakes West Homeowners Association to gain their backing.
Council Member Derrick Thompson emphasized the importance of community support, urging the Arran Lakes West residents to consider the project seriously to avoid losing their lake in future storm events. As the project progresses, the city will work to mitigate flood risks and protect the neighborhood’s infrastructure.
