Construction nears completion on replacement dam

A new dam is being built at Tempe Town Lake to replace a dam that burst in 2010, spilling nearly a billion gallons of water. Construction is happening on the western edge of the lake and the dam will be the largest of its kind in the country, and possibly the world.

The City of Tempe says this is the biggest project ever done at the lake.

"We've been working away here in Town Lake for more than a year, and the finish line is in sight," said Kris Baxter Ging.

Crews began rebuilding the dam last June, but now the first of eight steel gates were brought in. Each gate is 106 feet wide, 17 feet tall, and weighs 232,000 pounds.

"When we need to pass water these gates will lay down, essentially hydraulically," said Ging.

After the gates go in the water from the lake will be moved out. The old dam will then be removed, leaving the new steel gate in its place.

The project is expected to be completed in April, the City of Tempe says the project has a price tag of $47 million.