The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has confirmed that it is in the process of attending to the repairs of the Florida Lake dam wall.
Concern has been growing about the drastically receding water level at the lake in recent months, with reports of the level dropping at the rate of about a foot per week at one point.
In addition, the discovery of more than 70 carcasses of water birds at the bird island situated at the south-west corner of the lake, has many speculating that the lower water level may, to some extent, be to blame.
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Carcasses found were those of ducks, Egyptian geese, Greater Blue Herons and Cattle Egrets.
A clean-up operation initiated by local anglers, the Florida Lake Dragon Boat Club, the Florida Lake Canoe Club and others, saw the removal of the bird carcasses, many spoiled eggs, and more than 10 refuse bags full of rubbish from the island three weeks ago.
At least six new bird carcasses have been found on the island since, and the Roodepoort Record has received reports of residents finding dead pigeons in their yards in the area of late.
According to the JRA’s head of department for infrastructure planning, Musa Mkhacane, the preliminary design of the lake dam wall has been completed and is currently under review for approval whereafter detailed designs will be undertaken.
Mkhacane says the project entails much more than just the repair of the dam wall, as the stormwater catchment system downstream of the lake also requires attention.
“The project is divided into three phases,” he says. “Phase A is the dam wall. Phase B will consist of upgrading and repairs to the Albertina Sisulu Bridge and Phase C will be for the Main Reef Road Bridge.
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“All three phases have been completed up to preliminary design, and are currently under review.”
According to Mkhacane, the JRA carried out extensive hydraulic investigations and specialist studies at all three sites before submitting their preliminary design proposals.
Mkhacane dashed the hopes of those hoping for a quick fix, saying that the JRA intends to have the detailed designs finalised by the end of the year and that budgets based on the final estimated construction costs will have to be identified before commencing the procurement process for a contractor.
Additionally, construction is likely to only begin after the rainy season since work will have to be conducted inside the lake and downstream along the stormwater system.
