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They try to allay fears at Inglis Town Hall, pointing out that a crack in the lake bed has existed for years with no problems.
By ALEX LEARY, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 22, 2002
INGLIS -- Addressing concerns about a crack in the lake bed near Inglis Dam, officials on Friday said the situation appears no worse today than it was two decades ago, but additional study is needed to determine the threat to the dam.
"No one knows whether we have something that can fail," said Gary Kuhl, operations director for the Southwest Florida Water Management District, referring to the dam.
"We don't think that could happen, but no one knows," he added. "Florida geology is subject to change."
Kuhl spoke at Inglis Town Hall, where a handful of residents gathered to learn more about the 40-foot-long crack in the bottom of Lake Rousseau.
The state Department of Environmental Protection intends to spend $500,000 to further study the size and scope of the crack and, if necessary, how it could be fixed.
Though its existence has been known for many years, dye tests have confirmed lake water is seeping through the crack and bubbling out the west side of the dam, creating a springlike appearance.
The dam, which is owned by the DEP but managed by Swiftmud, has not shown any signs of structural damage, officials said.
But under the 1996 National Dam Safety Program Act, the state is developing an emergency response plan in the event the dam were damaged. The action was outlined in last Sunday's Citrus Times.
URS Corp. of Tampa has been hired to map how fast water would pour out of Lake Rousseau and what downstream areas could flood in an emergency.
The state is waiting to hear whether Gov. Jeb Bush will carry over $139,000 into the new budget cycle to fund the second phase of the study, which will pinpoint homes in danger of flooding.
With that information, a process will be developed to notify homeowners in an emergency.
The options range from a simple phone chain to an expensive "reverse 911" system in which authorities could deliver a recorded message to dozens of homes in a matter of minutes.
Inglis Mayor Carolyn Risher said some residents were alarmed by the news. "They say, 'What's going to happen if the dam breaks? Are we going to have to get out and go to a safe place?' "
Those are valid and important questions, Kuhl said, but his tone Friday was measured. He noted that the fissure has been present for decades, at least, and nothing has happened.
He held up for the audience a picture dated from the 1970s that showed the water bubbling up by the dam.
Chris McKendree with the DEP's Office of Greenways and Trails said the issue needs more study but people should not get alarmed.
"At this point," he said, "we don't think there are any safety issues."