Manatee officials OK $3 million emergency dam repair. What’s wrong with it?

After the most eventful hurricane season in years and widespread criticism of how flood control was handled, Manatee County officials recently approved about $3 million in emergency repairs to the Lake Manatee Dam.

Completed in 1967, the dam holds and controls water levels within the 6-billion gallon, 1,180-acre Lake Manatee Reservoir, which supplies about two-thirds of Manatee County’s drinking water.

Last month, a staff report revealed the discovery of “minor cracking and surface deterioration” in several areas of the dam during a routine inspection. The damage followed last year’s intense hurricane season, which pounded county infrastructure with severe rainfall, flooding, storm surge and wind.

At a board meeting on May 20, staff asked commissioners to approve $2.9 million in emergency funding for Kiewit, a construction company, to complete needed repairs.

A staff memo said the work would be expedited while “reservoir levels and weather conditions are stable.”

Commissioners approved the funding request as part of the consent agenda without any public discussion.

Manatee County officials explain dam repair

With the emergency repair underway, the Bradenton Herald asked county officials for more information. Here’s what to know.

Where is the damage to the dam located?

“The minor cracking and surface deterioration were observed in various locations along the upstream slope of the dam,” Manatee County utilities staff said in an email.

A dam’s upstream slope is the side that faces the reservoir, and it can be damaged by erosion from waves, according to the Association of State Dam Safety Officials.

“These areas were identified during a routine inspection conducted by a qualified dam engineer following the 2024 hurricane season,” county staff wrote. “While the damage was limited, repairs were recommended to maintain the dam’s long-term integrity.”

When will the repairs be complete?

“Repairs are currently underway and progressing on schedule. The work focuses on sealing cracks and repairing surface areas identified during the last inspection. The majority of the work is expected to be completed within the next 30-40 days,” county staff wrote Thursday.

Are any future repairs or improvements planned for the dam?

“Yes. While the dam is currently sound and in good condition, a future Capital Improvement Project is being planned to perform a full rehabilitation of the entire structure,” county staff wrote. “This proactive approach ensures long-term performance and resilience of the dam.”

What is the funding source for the repairs?

“The water utility is funding the repairs,” county staff wrote.

Dam repair follows intense hurricane season

The repair follows controversy surrounding the dam last hurricane season. When Hurricane Debby brought record-breaking rainfall to Manatee County in August, water levels in the reservoir rose too high.

County officials reacted by opening the dam’s auxiliary spillways — extra channels to the north of the main outfall that can be opened in emergencies to let more water escape. About 18 billion gallons of water flowed through the dam over several days, the Bradenton Herald previously reported.

When the release started, the county sent out an emergency phone alert urging some residents to seek higher ground. But residents complained the alert came after many roads were already flooded and unsafe to travel. Others said they never received it.

County officials later acknowledged that communication about the water release could have been handled better and promised improvements.

But they also defended the dam and said it functioned properly to protect the county’s drinking water supply.

An independent analysis later found that the dam release was not a significant factor in East Manatee County’s flooding during Debby, instead pointing to record rainfall and increased development in the area.

“Residents should know that the dam is inspected annually by qualified engineers and is considered structurally sound,” county utilities staff wrote. “Even after enduring three consecutive hurricanes in 2024, the dam sustained only minor damage and remained fully functional, with no concern of failure at any point.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts another “above-average” Atlantic hurricane season this year.