InTucker Magazine

Lake Erin Dam Update

Repairs on Lake Erin Dam have been underway since May 20, 2025 in an effort to bring it into compliance with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s ‘Safe Dams’ Program. When construction began, the City of Tucker anticipated completion by the end of 2025. In the time since, rainy weather has slowed progress.

Outdoor construction in all City projects is weather dependent to some extent, but the conditions at Lake Erin Dam are unique due to the way moisture impacts soil compaction.

What is compaction? Imagine making a snowball. You would pick up snow and pack it
together in your hands to make it denser and shape it into a ball. Soil compaction works
similarly; using equipment, soil is “packed” together to the required density in layers of 6 to 8 inch thickness at a time. Then this soil is tested to ensure it meets the required conditions. This testing must pass strict Georgia EPD regulations for safety.

The soil’s moisture must fall within a certain range for proper compaction. Soil that is too dry can have water added to reach the optimal moisture. Soil that is too wet can be more difficult to work with; it is easier to add moisture than remove it. Often, crews have to wait for the sun and wind to dry out wet soil. The day after rain may be sunny, but the soil may be too wet for work to continue.

While Tucker has not received large amounts of precipitation in the past year, we have had extended stretches where the precipitation we received made the soil at the worksite too moist. Before the soil could dry to the optimal level, we received more rain, and we had to restart the clock waiting for the soil to dry.

This has led to work on Lake Erin Dam continuing steadily, but at a slower pace than we anticipated when the project went out to bid. Now, the City anticipates project completion by the end of summer 2026.