Update June 15, 2024

We are excited and relieved to confirm that Lake Forest Circle, and the Riverchase Lake dam repair project is now complete.   School buses, police cars, fire trucks, and especially the vehicles, bikes, and strollers of the residents in the area, again have safe passage.   Walkers and joggers alike can bite off as much of the three mile Lake Forest-Riverchase Parkway West circle as their endurance will allow!  A special thanks to the City of Hoover, Riverchase Country Club, and the Riverchase Residential Association (RRA) for making it happen.  The additional guardrail on the Cahaba River side of the dam now provides a great view, in addition to the view of the lake from the lakeside guardrail.  Note also, that the RRA is working with the City to develop landscape plans for the area, that will enhance, but not block the vista views that we can now enjoy!

     

Update March 15, 2024

In October of 2021 the Cahaba River flooded causing a breach in the dam and forcing the City of Hoover to close Lake Forest Circle. For three years it has remained barred from use. Thanks to Neel-Schaffer, Inc, (the Construction-Engineering-Inspection firm awarded the repair contract by the City), Lake Forest Circle is poised to reopen in late February/early March, ahead of its scheduled completion. The new reinforced concrete spillways are over three times larger than the original galvanized pipes, and although the condition of the original dam was tested and found to be sound, the back side slope and compacted soil is now safely more than twice that of the original design.

Update March 9, 2023

The City of Hoover has opened bids for the Lake Forest Dam Rehabilitation Project. We received only one bid and will recommend rejecting this bid and authorization to negotiate with the Contractor. Pending negotiations, funding and Contract administration, we would anticipate work to commence in May.

Update October 3, 2022

The City of Hoover has received the final design plans and cost estimates from Schoel Engineering regarding the dam remediation work to be done on Lake  Forest Circle. City officials are now in the process of scheduling a meeting with the Riverchase Country Club and the Riverchase Homeowner’s Association, during which next steps will be discussed.

Update September 16, 2022

The City has heard from Schoel Engineering on the submittal for the final design and preparation of the remediation plans for Lake Forest Circle. Schoel is continuing to work to finalize the details and specifications associated with the plans.

As a result, they need to delay the delivery of the final product until later this month. Once the final plans are submitted to the City, we will begin working to prepare costs estimates for the proposed work for all of those involved.

Update August 18, 2022

Due to significant damages to the Lake Forest Circle Dam that resulted from the October 6, 2021 flood event, the City hired a geotechnical engineering firm to conduct a  Subsurface Exploration and Geotechnical Engineering Report. The purpose of this report was to evaluate the existing conditions of the dam and surrounding areas and to  make recommendations for the necessary repairs for this area. 

This week’s update: At this time, the engineering design firm hired by the City is preparing the final design plans, costs estimates etc. In an update given to the City today,  (8/18/22), firm representatives say they should have the final design completed by the  first week of September.  

They City of Hoover will continue to keep you updated on the progress and any upcoming  meetings between the City, the Riverchase HOA and the Riverchase Country Club. Lake  Forest Circle will continue to be closed in this area until all of the remediation work has  been completed.

Update June 24, 2022

Due to significant damages to the Lake Forest Circle Dam that resulted from the October 6, 2021, flood event, the City hired a geotechnical engineering firm to conduct a Subsurface Exploration and Geotechnical Engineering Report. The purpose of this report was to evaluate the existing conditions of the dam and surrounding areas and to make recommendations for the necessary repairs for this area. 

This report has been completed. Some of the remediation efforts the City will be working to accomplish with the owners of the dam and the adjacent lake properties include the following: 

  • The replacement of the emergency spillway.
  • Repairing the downstream slope failures.
  • Repairing the roadway.
  • Removing any obstructions located adjacent to the primary outlet.

Please note: the level of the Lake will be required to be lowered prior to any work being performed. 

In addition, the City has also hired an engineering design firm to do several things: -conduct an additional topographic survey 

  • Perform a hydrological analysis of the lake/drainage basin 
  • Prepare detailed design engineering plans that are required to address the remediation recommendations per the Geotechnical report. 

This engineering firm is currently working on these plans and the work is expected completed later this summer. 

We will keep you updated on the progress and any upcoming meetings between the City, the Riverchase HOA and the Riverchase Country Club. Lake Forest Circle will continue to be closed in this area until all the remediation work has been completed.