Dredging the Lake

Town Meeting on Dredging

The Town of Highland Lake held a Town Meeting regarding the dredging of the lake on November 9, 2015, at the Anchor. Representatives from Tetra Tech, the firm that was hired to do the feasibility studies, were present to answer any questions regarding this project. We have been working on this project for over three years. Many hours have gone into these studies and plans, and we still have quite a bit of work to do before any dredging can begin.

Bill Rush has chaired this special committee for the past three-plus years, and he has done an excellent job. This is not going to be a small or inexpensive project. We need everyone to be informed on how it will impact the town.

What is Dredging?

Dredging is the removal of accumulated lake bottom sediments ("muck"). The decision to dredge should be based on sufficient study that shows accumulated sediment is having an adverse impact on water quality, recreation, or navigation. This decision process includes defining what you want to use the lake for (such as recreation or water supply) and how you'd like the lake to appear (water quality), and then determining if lake sediment is affecting these factors. If so, the study should compare alternatives to dredging to see if sediment removal is indeed the most cost-effective solution.

A feasibility study for dredging Highland Lake and proposal has been prepared for the Town of Highland Lake by Tetra Tech, Inc., located in Atlanta, Georgia, and will be the subject of discussion in months to come. By soliciting this study and proposal, the Town of Highland Lake will determine the current condition of the lake, quantify sedimentation impacts, and evaluate potential dredging options.

To view a copy of this study and proposal by Tetra Tech, please click here.