The City of Fayetteville has won the 2023 Southeast Regional Dam Safety Award for its work on the Mirror Lake Dam. The Associate of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) announced the City’s accomplishment on July 7.

“This confirms our public services team is one of the best in the region,” said Director of Public Services Sheila Thomas-Ambat in a press release. “We will continue to identify opportunities to keep residents safe, improve City infrastructure and execute the best plans to accomplish those goals.”

The City’s nomination form highlighted Mirror Lake Dam’s restoration and continued maintenance after Hurricane Matthew flooded the area in October 2016, over-topping the dam and completely washing out Mirror Lake Drive. In August 2017, the City contracted Schnabel Engineering South, PC, who nominated the project for this award, to perform the engineering design and provide construction support to repair the dam and roadway. Construction was completed in January 2020.

The City has been extremely proactive in performing maintenance, necessary repairs, and yearly inspections, as well as updating the Emergency Action Plan for the dam. The City also continues to monitor lake water levels during hurricane season and storm events to prevent future flood damages.

“Through the City’s efforts, Mirror Lake Dam continues to meet dam safety standards, while also extending the service life of the dam, reducing risk to downstream owners, and safeguarding access to services for the community residents,” according to the City’s nomination form.

One Regional Dam Safety Award is presented to each of ASDSO’s four regions annually recognizing organizations making exemplary community contributions. The City has been invited to Palm Springs, California to receive the award at an ASDSO luncheon on Sept. 18.