Lockhart Power Company's Response to 2025 Annual Dam Safety Inspection

The Lockhart Power Company submitted a follow-up report to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding the 2025 Annual Dam Safety Inspection. The report addressed a sinkhole found adjacent to the minimum flow penstock, which was reported on August 19, 2025. The company's manager, James H. Seay, Jr., detailed the cause of the condition, unusual occurrences, measures taken to prevent worsening, and the status of any damage to project works.

Key Takeaways:

• The sinkhole was caused by rainwater finding a path through the old rubble from the demolished mill.
• There were no unusual occurrences preceding the condition, and no damage was sustained by project works.
• The company took measures to prevent worsening of the condition by filling the hole with soil and tamping it.
• The sinkhole was located 12 feet away from the penstock and has been filled with no other property damage.
• There were no personal injuries or significant damage to private property.
• The report was submitted on August 21, 2025, and there was no other relevant information requested by the Regional Engineer.
• James H. Seay, Jr., Manager-Engineering & Regulatory Affairs at Lockhart Power Company, signed the report.

Statistics:

• The sinkhole was filled with soil and tamped on August 21, 2025.
• The sinkhole was located 12 feet away from the penstock.
• There was no damage to project works.
• There were no personal injuries or significant damage to private property.

Sources:

• William Brown, Regional Engineer Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Atlanta Regional Office 3700 Crestwood Pkwy, Suite 950 Duluth, GA 30096 (FERC Project # 2620 - Lockhart Hydro Project)
• Lockhart Power Company, Engineering & Regulatory Affairslocked (FERC Project # 2620 - Lockhart Hydro Project)

Note: The document can be viewed at this link: https://elibrary.ferc.gov.