Want some good news?

Thanks to heavy winter precipitation, the water levels at Deegan Lake are closer to normal. The better news is that a study to fix the issue that allowed the lake to reach historically low levels this summer is in full swing.

Bridgeport City Manager Patrick Ford recently announced that the consultant working with the city has been fully engaged in the process.

Early in January, the City of Bridgeport signed a contract with Terracon Consultants, Inc., to not only study what was causing the dam to leak, but also options to repair it. The cost of the work is a total of $82,500.

For those who have seen individuals on the lake, even during cold weather events, it has almost certainly been individuals from Terracon and the city doing the investigative part of the study.

“Terracon has been out there doing their borings, along with gathering all other types of information, to finish their analysis into the condition of the dam,” Bridgeport City Manager Patrick Ford said. “The borings are an important part of the process and we’ve been working with them, along with the DEP (West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection) and its daily monitoring and inspection of the facility.”

There have been no preliminary reports yet. However, Ford said the study is still on schedule.

“When they wrap up tests (last) week and future tests, they will be expected to include all of the valuable information gathered in a final report. That report is still anticipated to be in our hands at the earliest in April and perhaps in early May,” said Ford. “I think everyone is aware of the critical nature of taking care of a destination utilized by the community that is also closely associated with the city in the most positive of ways.”

During the summer of 2024, one of the worst droughts to hit the region exposed a problem that had been known by city, state, and federal officials for decades – that the dam contained a leak. However, average to above-average precipitation kept it from becoming an issue. That changed when the historically dry summer saw Deegan Lake – according to multiple long-time residents – dry up to levels never seen before.

The hope is that the solution can be applied quickly. The cost, and scope of the fix, however, will determine how things proceed.

“We’re not excited about the solution, because we know it is coming. We’re excited about Deegan Lake being secure for current and future generations,” Ford said. “One other thing we’re excited about with the study that will propose a plan, is that the consultant will also be recommending a funding strategy.”

Ford praised city staff and the consultant for working in a timely fashion. He also gave Mother Nature a nod for cooperating with the additional precipitation.