Paved Ditches and Erosion
The report continues to note erosion of coarse sand from beneath some paved drainage ditches. Holes, gaps, debris buildup, and areas of undermining should be filled, sealed, cleaned, and monitored.
Inspection Overview
Lake Wildwood Association receives annual professional dam inspections to help monitor dam conditions, document maintenance needs, and guide future planning. The 2026 inspections reviewed both Lake Wildwood Dam and Lake Tanglewood Dam, including their embankments, spillways, outlet channels, gates, concrete features, drainage areas, vegetation, and maintenance conditions.
The overall message from both reports is positive: both dams were found to be generally stable, and neither report identified emergency conditions. The recommendations focus primarily on routine maintenance, continued monitoring, vegetation control, erosion prevention, concrete joint care, and keeping spillways and outlet channels clear.
Stable Embankments
Both inspections noted generally stable embankment conditions, with no major movement, cracking, or emergency concerns reported.
Spillway Monitoring
Both dams include concrete spillway structures that require continued observation, especially wall alignment, braces, joints, drainage, and debris removal.
Routine Maintenance
Recommendations focus on mowing, vegetation control, erosion repair, varmint monitoring, concrete joint maintenance, and keeping flow paths open.
In simple terms, the inspections show that the Association’s dams remain generally stable, while also reinforcing the importance of steady maintenance and consistent monitoring.
Lake Wildwood Dam Summary
Inspection date: May 4, 2026
Stable with Maintenance Items
The Lake Wildwood Dam inspection found the dam to be generally stable, with no emergency conditions reported. The dam is an earth embankment dam with a concrete chute spillway. The embankment, crest alignment, spillway structure, outlet channel, and emergency spillway were mostly noted as having no evidence of major structural problems or being in good condition.
The report notes that the downstream face and crest of the embankment are in good condition. No surface cracks, unusual movement, or major issues at or beyond the toe were reported. A historically damp area near the east abutment was again observed, but it was described as apparently stable and should continue to be monitored during dry conditions.
Recent Maintenance Noted
Since the prior inspection, routine maintenance mowing was completed, varmint holes were filled, the easterly paved ditch was removed, and a culvert was added near the toe of the dam. Riprap was also added at the end of the spillway, woody vegetation was removed, and fall-prevention fencing was added at the top of the emergency spillway.
The report also notes that prior concrete repairs to the spillway chute slab, chute walls, stilling basin walls, and related concrete areas generally remain intact. Continued monitoring is recommended to confirm these repairs remain stable over time.
Lake Wildwood Dam: Important Notes
These are the main follow-up areas identified in the Lake Wildwood Dam report.
Concrete Joint Maintenance
The upstream concrete wave protection is generally intact, but some cracked or spalled areas remain. Re-tarring joints, removing vegetation, and repairing damaged concrete are recommended as needed.
Spillway Chute Walls
The chute wall braces appear to be functioning, but the report recommends continuing to measure and record wall distances at the cross braces and painting the steel braces while leaving an unpainted strip to observe movement.
Outlet Channel and Riprap
New riprap near the stilling basin appears stable. The report recommends monitoring the slope near the end of the outlet channel for erosion and adding riprap or repairing the slope if needed.
Gate Repair
The gate at the bottom of the spillway needs repair. The report notes the gate is off its hinge and the lock mechanism is broken. Repair is recommended to restrict access.
Emergency Spillway
The emergency spillway is generally clear and in good condition, but open concrete joints in the emergency spillway chute should be cleaned and sealed. The report also recommends confirming that current fall-protection guardrail placement is acceptable.
Lake Wildwood Dam: Key Follow-Up Items
- Continue measuring and recording the distance between the tops of inward-tipping chute walls at the cross braces.
- Paint the steel cross braces while maintaining an unpainted observation strip where appropriate.
- Mow the embankment prior to future inspections so the embankment can be inspected more easily.
- Remove debris from channels and maintain unobstructed flow.
- Clean and re-tar joints on the upstream face of the dam.
- Repair the gate at the bottom of the spillway to restrict access.
- Fill and seed erosion areas and monitor for further development.
- Monitor paved ditches for cracking, undermining, animal burrows, sediment, and debris buildup.
- Clean and seal open joints in the emergency spillway chute.
- Continue monitoring the historically damp area near the east abutment.
Lake Tanglewood Dam Summary
Inspection date: May 4, 2026
Stable with Focused Follow-Up Items
The Lake Tanglewood Dam inspection found the dam to be generally stable, with no emergency conditions reported. Lake Tanglewood Dam is an earth embankment dam with a concrete chute spillway. The downstream face was observed with stable slopes and well-established vegetation, and the crest alignment and upstream face were generally straight and stable.
No surface cracks, unusual movement, seepage, or major embankment instability were reported. The emergency spillway was also noted to be in good condition, with no erosion, sedimentation, settlement, or major obstructions observed at the time of inspection.
Recent Maintenance Noted
Since the previous inspection, routine maintenance mowing was completed, varmint holes were filled, and the emergency spillway received routine mowing. These efforts help preserve the grass cover, limit erosion concerns, and keep the dam and related areas easier to inspect and maintain.
The report also notes that prior repairs at the approach channel and spillway remain generally intact, but several areas require continued observation, including the chute walls, fence areas, west wall drainage, concrete joints, and vegetation near the spillway.
Lake Tanglewood Dam: Important Notes
These are the main follow-up areas identified in the Lake Tanglewood Dam report.
Embankment and Grass Cover
The downstream face of the dam has stable slopes and established vegetation. The report recommends mowing prior to future inspections so the embankment can be more easily viewed.
Animal and Beaver Activity
Apparent animal burrows were noted in the embankment and near the east side paved ditch. Beaver damage was also observed on trees near the east end of the downstream embankment.
Concrete Slope Protection
The upstream concrete protection is generally sound, but localized concrete deterioration and joint sealant wear were observed. Cleaning, repair, and resealing are recommended.
Chute Wall Monitoring
Steel braces have been installed to help stabilize inward-tipping chute walls. The report recommends continuing measurements at the braces and adding measurements downstream of the lowest set of braces.
Drainage Behind West Wall
A deepening erosion hole, continued settlement of gravel fill, and a damaged corrugated pipe were observed behind the west spillway chute wall. Pipe repair, refilling, and drainage improvements are recommended.
Drawdown Valve
The lake drawdown valve should be exercised to ensure it remains operable. The mechanism should be kept greased and free of debris, and the slightly bent threaded rod should continue to be monitored.
Lake Tanglewood Dam: Key Follow-Up Items
- Continue measuring and recording the distance between the tops of inward-tipping chute walls at the steel cross braces.
- Add measurements at the joint downstream of the lowest set of braces.
- Paint the steel braces and continue monitoring for wall movement or cracking.
- Exercise the lake drawdown valve to help ensure it remains operable.
- Repair the damaged pipe behind the west spillway chute wall.
- Refill the erosion hole behind the west chute wall as needed to maintain stability.
- Consider installing a T-fitting with a grated cap to improve drainage behind the west chute wall.
- Repair and straighten affected fence sections near the spillway chute.
- Continue removing saplings and brush from fence lines along the chute walls.
- Clean, repair, and reseal damaged concrete joints and cracks as needed.
- Keep the emergency spillway and outlet channel free of obstructions.
Shared Maintenance Themes
Both reports point to the same general approach: steady maintenance, regular monitoring, and timely repairs.
Vegetation Control
Continue mowing, removing brush, cutting back saplings, and keeping dam and spillway areas visible and accessible for inspection.
Clear Flow Paths
Spillways, outlet channels, ditches, and drainage areas should remain free of debris, vegetation, logs, and other obstructions.
Concrete Care
Concrete joints, cracks, slope protection, and previous repairs should continue to be monitored, cleaned, sealed, and repaired as needed.
Measurement Records
Where chute walls are being monitored, measurements should continue to be recorded so changes can be tracked over time.
Animal Activity
Varmint holes, burrows, and beaver damage should continue to be monitored and repaired to protect embankment stability and grass cover.
Targeted Repairs
Follow-up repairs such as gate repair, fence repair, pipe repair, erosion filling, and drainage improvements should be addressed as maintenance planning allows.
Summary
The 2026 inspections found both Lake Wildwood Dam and Lake Tanglewood Dam to be generally stable, with no emergency conditions reported. The reports recommend continued monitoring and routine maintenance, including vegetation control, concrete joint care, drainage and erosion repairs, spillway wall measurements, valve and gate maintenance, and keeping all spillways and outlet channels clear for proper flow.