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WATER SUPPLY CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES
Construction of the Lake Fort Smith water
supply expansion project continues on schedule and within
budget. Director of Utilities, Steve Parke, reports that the
largest municipal public works project in this region of the
U.S. should be fully completed next summer. Construction work
began in 2002.
The project involves raising the dam at
Lake Fort Smith by 101-feet and removing the dam at Lake Shepherd
Springs. The two lakes will become one. The amount of water
stored in the lakes will more than triple with the new, larger
dam. The enlarged lake is projected to meet regional water
needs through 2050.
The project also involves construction of
new spillways to pass stormwater flows and a new water intake
tower. The intake tower,
which withdraws water from the lake and moves it to the treatment
plant, is 22-stories tall. The intake tower includes chemical
feed equipment, power units for the gates, and various maintenance
items. The new intake is in service now, sending water to
the treatment
plant and passing stormwater flows during construction.
The reconstruction of Lake Fort Smith State
Park is progressing.
The park will be at the site of the Lake Shepherd Springs
dam.
Construction of the new entry road has been
completed, and construction of water and sewer lines and internal
park roads is underway.
Design of the new visitors center, cabins,
group dorm and dining
hall, marina, swimming pool, camp sites, and day use areas
is being completed. Construction of these should be underway
by the end
of this year. The new park is expected to open in January
2007.
WATER & SEWER BONDS REFINANCED - MONEY
SAVED!
In April, the board of directors approved
refinancing water and sewer revenue bonds issued in 1999.
The 20-year bonds were issued to pay some of the costs of
the Lake Fort Smith water supply expansion project.
The refinancing takes advantage of today's
lower interest rates.
During the remaining 15 years of the bonds, Fort Smith's water
and sewer customers will save $860,000 in interest costs as
a
result of the refinancing.
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