WALLACE — Meeting at the Marlboro Golf and Recreation Complex in Bennettsville Monday night, the Lake Paul Wallace Authority provided the public with a highly anticipated update on the progress made recently both at the lake and legislatively.
According to the update, a design engineer has been at work for quite some time, and SCDNR has also selected a construction engineer. The board shared that 10% of design is completed, and assured residents’ additional status reports will get 40% complete and 90% complete.
Of upmost importance to residents is when they might see results and the board suggested a best-case scenario start date of sometime later this year.
SCDNR’s engineer provided a 3-D model of the dam during the presentation. A key design change was reflected from earlier models for the project, showing a change in the model design from a large box weir to a labyrinth weir.
A welcome adjustment, the new design will allow for more of the boating and swimming side to be open. Another benefit to residents, officials say when the dam is completed, the controlled release of water will safeguard people living in the flood -prone area of Shady Rest from future flooding and resultant water damage.
Officials point out that while the model displayed at Monday’s meeting does not at present display a bridge across the weir, a bridge is being considered, and there is no plan to cut off access to Country Club Road.
The fiscal year 2025-2026 budget allotted $25 million for the dam, and State Representative District 54 Jason Luck has previously shared he is hopeful the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget will include additional funding needed to complete the repair project at Lake Paul Wallace. The General Assembly is expected to resume completing a budget following the state’s primary election.
In a statement released following the meeting, Representative Luck said, “I am proud of the work that has occurred to date on this project, and I am also proud of my role in moving this forward. There is much more work to do, particularly regarding that bridge over the weir.”