Emergency Notification/Action Plan Relative High Water in Newman Lake

1. Newman Lake is served by a tributary of Black's Run which in turn drains a watershed area northeast of the campus (area boxed by East Market Street, University Blvd., Reservoir Street, and I-81) as well as the west and CISAT campuses. Down stream of the Newman Lake dam, the tributary joins Black's Run in the Purcell Park. Black's Run enters Purcell Park contiguous to the Yellow Cab headquarters and Wendy's restaurant on South Main.
   
   
2. The lower "flood plain" starts below the toe of the dam and includes the University's lower "Z" lot, the residential neighborhood served by Butler and Monument Avenues, Purcell Park, and even JMU leased facilities on the east side of South Main across from Duke's Plaza. The flood plain also is affected by run-off from areas east of I-81 south of Port Republic Road, through culverts under I-81 adjacent to the Squire Hill complex.
   
   
3. With the commercial development of areas north and east of campus, flash flooding on campus, with resultant high water conditions on Newman Lake, is to be expected. In the event of flooding or whenever flooding is anticipated the sluiceway door can be opened to relieve pressure on the dam at the overflow weir. The lake has been subject to silting from construction run-off. The sluiceway door is to be opened periodically to evacuate residual build-up of silt and maintain an open bottom channel for unobstructed flow.
   
   
4. The backwater trap between the toe downstream of the dam and the triple box culvert beneath Port Republic Road can accommodate a significant amount of overflow from Newman Lake. The fill and embankment of the southbound I-81 exit serving Port Republic Road has been re-enforced with cemented rip-rap and can withstand considerable water pressure and flow volume. The downstream restriction posed by the Port Road embankment and the disbursement of water in the marsh south of the lower "Z" lot has a significant "knock down" effect on the velocity of the water flow. But, expansion of the "Z" lot has added to the potential "run-off."
   
   
5. Overflow of the dam has become more frequent due to the "silting" of the lake. Both Harrisonburg city officials and the residents of dwellings in the Monument/Butler Avenue areas should be notified if high water conditions are anticipated. Notification should be initiated whenever the water overflow level reaches a point one foot or higher on the overflow weir staff gauge or when seepage develops in the homogenous earthen fill. Seepage has the potential to undermine the dam.
   
   
6. Notification List, Officials:
   
   

   Harrisonburg Fire Department	434-6452 or 911
   Harrisonburg Police	434-2545 or 911
   Harrisonburg Parks & Recreation	433-9168
   Virginia Division of Soil and Water Conservation	(540)332-9991
   Virginia State Police	434-8593/(800)572-2260
   Virginia Department of Transportation Highway Office	434-2586

Current names, telephone numbers, and street addresses of residents of Butler and Monument Avenues are all in the up-to-date "City Directory."