BOILING SPRING LAKES, NC (WECT) – Heavy rains from Tropical Storm Debby have damaged work to rebuild the dams in Boiling Spring Lakes in Brunswick County, but city leaders say the damage should not delay the project’s scheduled completion. The Sanford, Upper, Pine Lake and North Lake dams all failed during Hurricane Florence in 2018, and work to rebuild them began in 2023.

“Damage was sustained at the Pine Lake Dam construction site,” the city office said in an emailed statement. “In particular, the upstream cofferdam was lost due to the amount of rain. The downstream cofferdam remained intact. However, the loss of the upstream cofferdam caused the downstream cofferdam to flood. Once water levels drop, contractors will repair the damage. This should not impact the overall project schedule.”

Work to rebuild the dams is expected to be completed in early 2026 and will cost more than $50 million. Voters approved $20 million in bonds as part of the financing in a referendum. Federal and state funds have also contributed to the reconstruction.

“The North Lake Dam and Upper Lake construction sites both require cleanup, but both have emerged from the disaster unscathed,” the city government statement continued. “There are issues at the Samford Dam construction site. The liner used to protect the earthen diversion ditch is damaged. This has caused the diversion ditch slope to wash out. However, the diversion ditch continues to operate as designed and conditions are improving hourly. The contractor continues to monitor site conditions and will manage the loss of liner accordingly. Water levels continue to drop. Once water levels are down to acceptable levels, the contractor will make the necessary repairs to the diversion ditch. This will not impact the overall project schedule.”

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