Berkeley Lake Dam Repairs Nearly Completed

Berkeley Lake's saga, which began in September 2009 after record-breaking rainfall damaged the city's 65-year-old earthen dam, is nearly at an end.

The repairs to the dam are almost complete, except for installation of the sod that will cover the dam, Mayor Lois Salter reported in her note to citizens dated Feb. 22.

"We had expected to be completely finished by now but the rains have not allowed any span of dry days sufficient for us to install the centipede sod that would protect from erosion...." she said.

She said a decision was made to temporarily cover the dam in erosion control matting until late April or May when the weather improves.

The good news is that N. Berkeley Lake Road, which had been closed since March 2012, has reopened.

However, Gwinnett DOT is installing sidewalks along the road so a portion of the road may be reduced to one lane from time to time while contractors work on the walkways. That work is expected to be complete later this year.

The water in the 88-acre spring-fed lake is slowly rising -- when it's full will depend a good bit on Mother Nature, said Salter.

~ Peachtree Corners Patch