South Jersey dams survive Irene's wrath

[dogg57]

How much longer will these older style dams hold up in the state? Who should pay for it?

http://www.app.com/article/BZ/20110...vive-Irene-s-wrath?odyssey=mod_sectionstories

 

[jburd641]

I'm curious, was this considered a 100 year flood event? If so, some shoring up should do the trick, considering they held. Luckily, those lakes are small enough that when a storm is approaching, they can pull boards from the dam and drain some water. The real problem is those sudden downpours that release 8, 9, 10 inches overnight.
You could lower the water levels during those seasons but that affects recreational use. It's a problem with no easy fix.