20201004 Ver 1_9-NCDENR_Dam_Exemption Letter_20200804

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NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Pat McCrory Donald R. van der Vaart
Governor Secretary
August 10, 2015
NOTICE OF INSPECTION
Foothills Presbytery
2242 Woodruff Road
Simpsonville, SC 29681
RE: Lake Pickens Dam (State ID No. - TRANS-072)
Dam Hazard Potential: Low; Transylvania County
Lat: 35.08444 Long:-83.015
Height: 20 ft Max Capacity 24 acre-feet
Dear Sir or Madam:
The Dam Safety Law of 1967 provides for the certification and inspection of dams in the public
interest. Our records indicate you are the owner of the referenced dam, which was inspected by
personnel of this office on July 22, 2015. During this inspection, the following conditions of concern
were noted:
Previously two 18 inch CPP's were installed to serve as the principle and emergency spillways
without engineered plans. These pipes were not charged during this inspection due to the
water level of the pond. The CMP riser has a hole and has caused the pond to drain. The CMP
barrel outlet has deteriorated and water is flowing out of the rusted areas and under the barrel
outlet. The riser/barrel system should be repaired and/or replaced.
• Remove small trees and bushes growing on the downstream slope and along the toe of the
dam and establish a permanent groundcover.
During this inspection we also investigated the potential for property damage and loss of life in the
event your dam fails. This investigation determined that failure of your dam poses no significant threat
to human life or property downstream. Therefore, based on current downstream development, we
have determined your dam to be classified as "Low Hazard".
Effective July 1, 2011, the North Carolina Dam Safety Law of 1967 (Law) was amended by increasing
the minimum size criteria for low and intermediate hazard jurisdictional dams from 15 feet in height
and 10 acre-feet in impoundment capacity to 25 feet in height and 50 acre-feet in impoundment
capacity. As a result of this, the subject dam, which is currently classified as low hazard, is exempt
from the Law and any future work on the dam does not require approval from this Division.
However, you should note that your dam's jurisdictional status may change based on
modifications to the dam affecting its height and/or impoundment capacity or as a result of
Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources - Land Quality Sectior+
Asheville Regional Office, 2090 US Highway 70, Swannanoa, North Carolina, 28'78-8211
Telephone [phone] Fax [phone] One
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/Ir/ NorthCarolina
An Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer `�ateKrQ"J/

Notice of Inspection
TRANS-072
Foothills Presbytery
Page 2 of 2
development in the area downstream of the dam, which can affect hazard classification. It is therefore
recommended that you contact our office for guidance prior to making modifications to your dam or if
you suspect the hazard classification of your dam may have changed due to downstream
development.
In addition, the following comments are offered:
Our office encourages the owner of any proposed dam to repair or modify the dam to the
same standards as if it were under the jurisdiction of the Dam Safety Law of 1967.
2. If the dam is repaired or modified such that it is 25 feet in height or greater as measured
from the highest point on the crest of the dam to the lowest point on the downstream toe
and will impound 50 acre-feet or more at the highest point on the crest of the dam, this dam
will not be exempt, and engineering certification, and record drawings and specifications
will be required along with application processing fees.
3. If future downstream development occurs which would be impacted by a failure of the dam,
then the hazard classification may be reassessed and may change from intermediate to
high hazard classification. Please note that in accordance with General Statute 143-
215.25A(a)(6), dams which are determined to be high hazard are subject to the provisions
of the Dam Safety Law of 1967 regardless of height or impoundment capacity.
Although we make every reasonable effort to identify any deficiencies your dam may have, our
resources limit us to a visual inspection, which does not address potential stability or other issues that
exhibit no visible warning signs. Dams and their spillways and conduits, even if well -constructed, will
deteriorate over time without proper maintenance and timely repairs. Therefore, it is recommended
you regularly inspect your dam and notify your engineer if you suspect any problems or changes with
your dam. Due to your dam's exemption from the Law, regular inspections of your dam by this
Division will be discontinued.
Your cooperation and consideration in maintaining a safe dam is appreciated. If ownership of the dam
has changed, or if you are not responsible for the dam, please notify us so that we can update our
records. Should you have any questions concerning our inspection, please contact me at (828) 296-
4500.
Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact me at [phone]
Sincerely,
Fred Walker, PE
Acting Regional Engineer
Land Quality Section
ec: Bill Denton, PE, Raleigh Regional Office