Willard implements temporary repairs after spillway erosion exposed city water line

Council members reported a serious erosion incident at a spillway that exposed and threatened a city water line.

Mr. Freeman described a void carved beneath the spillway (15–20 feet wide and about 5 feet tall) that undermined the concrete encasement over a water line. City staff and contractors (Peyton, Dan, King Bragger’s crew) installed an emergency bypass, routed flow through temporary pipe connections, and used flow-fill to stabilize the void. The council said the work dried out the area and provided a temporary structural fill while they consult engineers for a permanent repair.

Mr. Freeman said the city will ask flood control to assist with long-term repairs and that staff will bill the flood-control district for maintenance-related costs (King Bragger’s crew and staff time). He asked staff to bring engineers into the assessment and noted the city will likely need to coordinate any permanent fix with flood-control agencies and contractors.

Council members characterized the immediate fix as successful and described next steps as engineering assessment and budgeting for any permanent repairs.