Grant money in great time

By Staff
The state has came through for the people of Russellville in great time.
Gov. Bob Riley notified city officials Thursday that Russellville has been awarded $300,000 to use on repairs at Sloss Dam on Alabama 24.
The grant will enable the city to take immediate steps to repair two large holes that have developed in Sloss Lake dam. A potential collapse of the earthen dam threatens the safety and welfare of at least 70 residences downstream.
When the leaks developed early last month, the city made temporary repairs to lessen the threat of a collapse and downstream flooding.
The Alabama Department of Transportation quickly filled the roadside with heavy gravel that helped ease water flow. The city used several water pumps to pump water from Sloss Lake into nearby channels and out into Cedar Lake.
A possible solution includes sealing the length of the dam on the lake side with a commercially sold clay product to stop the existing and future leaks. Additional dirt would be used to reline the dam to make it more stable.