Louisa Lake Dam Needs Repair

Growth of small trees and scrub brush on top of the Louisa Lake Dam have garnered it a "poor" physical condition rating, according to an evaluation conducted for Milford by an environmental engineer.

Inspectors found no major structural, operational or maintenance deficiencies, according to Milford Town Engineer Michael Santora. But state Office of Dam Safety policy requires a poor rating when an embankment dam has significant vegetation.

The Louisa Lake dam was reconstructed in 1979. The town hasn't spent much since to maintain it, Santora said. The dam inspection, prepared by environmental engineers GZA GeoEnvironmental of Canton, indicates repairs could cost $130,000 to $240,000. The other major dam in Milford, the one at Milford Pond, was reinspected within the last five years and doesn't need work, he said.

The Louisa Lake dam project could be included in a request for capital funds, which could be made in the fall. State law requires dams to be inspected every five years.