The Tempe Town Lake dam replacement project reached a new milestone today. Crews began installing the structure's eight steel gates Monday morning.
Each one measures106 feet across and weighs over 230,000 pounds.
Nikki Ripley, a spokesperson with the city of Tempe, said dam construction should be completed by February. Once that happens, the lake water will be removed for two to three months, she said,
"That will allow crews to go in and remove the current dam," Ripley said. "And then when that is completed the lake is refilled and then Town Lake is back in business."
The Arizona Game and Fish Department will be lifting fishing limits in the area and suspending stocking activity this fall to prep for the water removal.
Barring any significant weather delays, normal lake operations should resume in April.
