PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — The state's safety report for the Kirkpatrick Dam -- more commonly known as the Rodman Dam -- in Putnam County has just been released.
And the summary almost sounds like it contradicts itself.
It says the dam structure has no safety concerns, but the dam’s classification has been elevated to high hazard.
The 261-page inspection report states “no significant areas of deterioration were noted by the divers that require immediate repairs.”
That sounds reassuring, but the report also notes that certain areas could not be inspected.
Margaret Spontak with the group "Free the Ocklawaha" said, "Scuba divers could not get under these logs that are jammed up there right now. They could not fully assess anything that was going on below."
She added, "The consultant themselves said in several locations, more work needs to be done."
The report also elevates the Rodman Dam from low hazard two years ago to high hazard now. A Florida Department of Environmental Protection spokesperson said, "the dam’s 'high hazard' classification is not a reflection of the dam’s current condition, but rather is based on the potential impacts to properties downstream in a worst-case scenario of dam failure.
Spontak’s group has supported removing the dam so fish, manatees, and water can freely move like they used to before the dam was built in the 1960’s.
However, based on this report and the high hazard classification, Spontak says before removing the dam, it’s now more important to first lower the water depths by the dam in order to lower the chances of people downstream getting flooded. That process is known as a drawdown. It has happened before by the Rodman Dam, lowering the reservoir depth to about 11 feet instead of its usual 18-20 feet.
Spontak said a drawdown "doesn’t achieve full environmental benefits but it helps with downstream safety issues."
Meanwhile, Save the Rodman Reservoir’s President, Steve Miller -- who wants the dam to stay put – tells First Coast News the report "dispels the rumors of potential failure" and supports the idea that repairing the dam is more economical that removing it.
As for the timeliness of the report, the inspection was done in August. The report is usually released in the fall. However, the DEP released it Friday., March 18th.
Some people wonder why the state waited so long to release it and until after the legislative session.
Spontak said, " think we need to consider the safety of our residents above the political agendas or campaigns schedules."