Repairs to Butler Lake dam keep water level low longer

By SARAH BEACH

Sarah Beach/The News-Democrat Intern

Erosion around a pipe is creating delays in gettinag Butler Lake filled again as workers continue to make repairs on its earthen dam. At left, the low water level has left much of the bank bare.

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The News-Democrat Intern

The water level at Butler Lake will stay low a little longer, according to Larry Totten, the interim manager at General Butler State Resort Park.

Originally, the lake was partially drained to allow workmen to fix a leak in a pipe in the earthen dam on the lake’s southern end, Totten said. This is the side closest to the Kentucky River.

Continued erosion of the grout around the pipe is making it impossible for the lake to refill, and it is now necessary for the work to be delayed, possibly into this fall or early winter, he said.

“There was some debate over the best way to take care of it,” Totten said.

None of the fishing or boating at the park will be closed, however. Everything in the park is open and will continue to be open as long as the project is going on.

The only change that will be made is an alternate entrance that will lead through the campground area from Highway 227, Totten said. 

“This is something we wished we could fix earlier, but traffic makes it difficult,” he said.

Carroll County Judge-Executive Harold “Shorty” Tomlinson said he was concerned about the delay because of the dangers it poses to fish in the lake.

The recent high temperatures could cause problems if the lake fails to turn over, which could cause health risks to people if the fish were to die, Tomlinson said.

Mike Swatzyna, the director of facilities management for the Kentucky State Parks system, said that there is no estimate on cost for the project yet, but there should be by September of this year.

There is “no imminent danger,” Swatzyna said. According to Swatzyna, the lake will function normally until the leak is fixed.

In the meantime, visitors can enjoy the newly finished walking and running trail that now completely surrounds the lake.