Leaking Dam To Be Repaired, Arapahoe Officials Say

LITTLETON, CO – A dam at Hine Lake has developed a "small but unusual leak," and will require that water be drained for its repair, the Arapahoe County Office of Emergency Management said Friday.

The Polly A Deane Dam in Jefferson County was found to be having a "seepage-related event" at the end of March, the agency said. The dam is located south of West Bowles Avenue and west of South Simms Street.

Colorado Dam Safety Chief Bill McCormick told 9NEWS the issue was roots from a tree, cut down by Foothills Park & Rec, that got into the drainage system and was weakening the soil of the dam, the station reported Friday.

Thursday, officials from several agencies met to discuss draining the lake and making repairs on the dam. Officials from the Colorado Office of Dam Safety, the Colorado Office of Emergency Management, then National Weather Service met with personnel from Jefferson, Denver and Arapahoe counties and the property owner and an engineer to discuss a plan to safely repair the leak.

While the reservoir is being lowered, equipment will be staged nearby, the agency said. the agencies have developed a plan to "ensure stability of the structure," the agency said in a press release.

Repairs will take place over the next four weeks, the agency said.