DAM SPILLWAY CONSTRUCTION STARTING OCTOBER 7, 2024. BOAT RAMP WILL BE  CLOSED.  

After about 10 years of considering various options, engineering, negotiations with the DNR, and  planning, the Dam spillway pipe will be lined, and the spillway inlet will be updated to the most recent  standards.  

Construction will start on October 7, 2024 and is expected to end by December 31, 2024. The lake  will need to be drained 60 inches from normal pool for excavation and installation of a stop gate in  the spillway inlet structure. Normal pool is considered the lake elevation when the water is right at the  spillway inlet weir. Due to excavation and construction of a temporary dam around the spillway inlet,  the boat ramp will also be closed during the project. The boat ramp will close on October 7th at the  latest, but may be closed anytime between September 8th and October 7th if the ramp becomes  unusable. 

The board will keep the lake at a reasonable elevation until September 3, 2024 to allow for the  summer boating season. If members do not want their boats on the lake during winter, please  remove your boat by September 8, 2024 at the latest. The concern is lake elevation at the boat  ramp. It can be a challenge removing certain boats from the lake when the elevation is low enough.  If members are going to keep their boats on the lake, the same rules apply as they do every year –  they either must be tied to your dock (or a dock you have permission to be at), or the boat must be on  your property. Heritage Lake Association owned docks are not acceptable locations for long term  boat parking. Lake front members should also be aware that the lake will be 30 to 36 inches lower  than previous winter seasons. Docks may need to be moved or secured, and checked throughout the  winter and spring as the lake level rises.  

Information sessions will be held on July 13th and July 18th at the Lodge.  

Please check the website for updates as details about the project may change. The September 3rd,  8th, and October 7th dates are not expected to change. Updates will be provided at the monthly board  meetings as well.  

Key Dates:  

• July 13 and 18 – Info sessions at the lodge  
• September 3rd – Latest valve opening date so lake elevation can be lowered to 60” below normal  pool. Depending upon weather conditions, the valve may be open earlier. Lake level will not be  lower than 24” below normal pool on this date (other than through natural water loss).  
• September 8th – Last day to remove boats, pumps may be brought in after this date. Water front  members should monitor the location and status of their docks.  
• October 7th – Boat ramp closed, construction starts  
• December 31st – Project complete  

Background  

This is the first part of a two part project. The first part consists of lining the existing spillway pipe to  significantly lengthen the life of the existing 30″ corrugated steel pipe and to update the existing inlet  structure. The inlet structure updates are required by the DNR to bring the dam up to current  standards by adding a gate that can be used to evacuate water from the lake in the case of an  emergency. We are also replacing the dewatering valve that has leaked and plugged up over the  years. The second part consists of installing a new 60″ diameter secondary spillway. This part will  happen in a few years; the engineering plans will be finalized in the next year and eventually sent out  for bid. 

In order to keep the project on time, the existing dewatering valve will be opened at the latest on  Septemeber 3, 2024 in order to meet the 60 inch target for the October 7th construction start date.  Depending upon lake elevation and rainfall throughout the summer, weather conditions, etc., the  association may open the dewatering valve earlier, but the lake elevation will not be lowered more  than 24 inches prior to September 3rd. On a normal year, the lake elevation naturally lowers as the  spring / early summer rains stop. After September 8th, pumps may be brought in by the contractor  depending upon the elevation at the time.  

Why line the pipe now?  

The existing spillway pipe is over 50 years old. While it has been inspected over the years, the board  doesn’t want to wait for a failure to line the pipe. Waiting may result in complete replacement of the  pipe, which is much more costly. Also, in the case of a spillway pipe failure, the DNR may require us  to drain the lake until the pipe is fixed.  

Why start the project in October?  

There’s never a good time to lower the lake elevation 60 inches or close the boat ramp. October was  chosen because it allows for the summer boating season – typically between Memorial Day and Labor  Day, but also allows time to lower the lake for the project. There is also time to complete the project  before the winter weather starts and allows for any fall weather delays. This date also allows for the  lake to fill up over the winter and early spring. Depending upon the weather this winter and spring,  the lake may still be below normal pool by March or April 2025. Note, the lake is usually lowered in  the fall anyway (although not quite this far), and typically fills up past the weir in the spring time.  

Will this affect swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and other non-boating activities on the lake?  Minimally. The boat ramp will not be open, so the dam or the beach may need to be used to launch  canoes and kayaks. There are members that keep their boats on the lake all winter, other than the  lower lake elevation, the effect of the project will be minimal. Due to some of the shallow spots in the  lake, certain members may have trouble accessing their docks.  

Will Heritage Drive across the dam be closed?  

That has not been brought up yet by the contractor. There may be times where the road is closed  temporarily to allow construction on the spillway or for pump discharge lines. Check the website  frequently for updates. If Heritage Drive needs to be closed along the dam, all parts of Heritage Lake  can be accessed via other sections of Heritage Drive.  

Will the boat ramp parking lot be closed?  

Portions of it will be taken up by construction equipment. Material will also be stored in the lot. At this  time, the exact area is unknown, but expect that at least 3/4 of the parking lot will be closed.  

Why a 60 inch elevation change?  

The contractor needs to excavate to the bottom of the spillway inlet. The bottom is about 60 inches  below normal pool.