"The original construction was not designed to meet the standard," said Walton during a follow up telephone interview. He is the director of Lord Fairfax Soil and Water Conservation District.

Since Lake Laura Dam was built in 1971, the requirements have changed, along with the amount of downstream development.

What's wrong with the dam?

"The training dike should be as high as the dam and it's not," he said.

Current state and federal law requires Lake Laura Dam to withstand flood waters four to five times greater than a 100 year flood, or about 29 inches of rain in 24 hours.

If that sounds like an unreasonable requirement, Walton added that this amount of rainfall has come close to happening twice in the Virginia Piedmont during the last 30 years.

A study of the dam, emergency spillway, and training dike has been initiated with $33,000 of state grant money, Walton said. Gannett Fleming Inc., an international engineering firm based in Harrisburg, Pa. was authorized to begin the analysis on Nov. 9, Walton said.

"They're making arrangements to start the work and plan to finish field work before the ground freezes," said Walton. A final report is due in early 2006.

Gannett Fleming “will determine what sort of soil and rock is under the emergency spillway," he added. "The amount of work that has to be done is dependent on the study by Gannett Fleming."

Gannett Fleming was contacted for comment, but a phone message was not returned before this edition was printed.

Bryce Resort provides routine maintenance for the Lake Laura Dam said resort, General Manager Sally Montrey. For larger maintenance projects, the resort is reimbursed by LFSWCD, which owns the dam.

Repairs needed to certify the dam might cost $250,000 to $500,000, Walton told the board. The money is expected to come from the state or federal government, said Montrey.

In an interview, Supervisor Jim Patrick said he doesn't want to be an alarmist and wants more information before commenting and making decisions.

"I need to do some research," he said.

Lots of parties are involved, and Patrick wants to learn who is ultimately responsible.

Supervisor Dick Neese agrees more information is needed. "We're waiting on the tests to see what needs to be done."

Shenandoah County will not be responsible for any funding, Walton told the supervisors. However, the county is needed as a partner with LFSWCD when applying for federal grant money. One grant applicant must have the right of eminent domain, said Walton.

However, he added, "We don't think it will be necessary to (use) that."

In addition to maintaining Lake Laura Dam, Bryce Resort works closely with LFSWCD to monitor any emergencies, said Walton. "Bryce has always done an excellent job.”

If the dam ever broke and the area below Bryce Mountain is flooded, more than 400 people would have to be evacuated. The district has prepared for possibility, Walton said. He told the supervisors that Bryce Resort would evacuate its own residents and personnel.

"A couple people know how to handle the situation," said Montrey. When large rainfall amounts are expected, the flow of water from the lake is monitored.

There are multiple alert levels, Walton said, and any action will depend on the amount of rainfall and how fast it comes down.

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