25 April 2015 – Final Update on Dam Works at Highams Park Lake from City of London Corporation

Dear All
Thank you!
Firstly my apologies for the delay in circulating this final update. Can I also give mine, and the wider, team’s thanks for the huge support and goodwill we have had in implementing the work at Highams Park Dam. The positive response we received and the community support in implementing a number of volunteer tasks have helped us to progress some great work in the wider Park area.

Completed Dam Safety Works
The completed dam safety works mean:
• The dam can now cope safely with overtopping should we ever experience a major flood event;
• For the first time we can reduce lake levels through opening the drawdown pipe;
• The Scout hut’s future has been secured through the construction of a new flood wall.

Path Surface
We had hoped for the works to be fully complete. However, we are unhappy about the path surface along the dam which is difficult to access by people with push and wheelchairs. Everyone involved acknowledges it is not right and we are working on the way forward to get it up to a suitable specification. Our apologies for this and we hope to have it remedied soon.
Woodland Works
Volunteers and Epping Forest Staff have worked together to open up connecting views from the recreation ground through to the lake. The works are now largely done with some minor clearing and stump grinding to be completed. The newly opened areas will be maintained by annual cutting to control brambles and woody regrowth.

New Planted Trees
Some new trees have been planted and you will notice that some have special watering bags on them. We are looking for volunteers to help us keep them watered over the next few months to help them establish. If this is something you or your organisation can help with we would like to hear from you. Please contact Martin Whitfield our Volunteer Officer if you can help (Tel 020 8532 1010).

Opening Event
We will hold a formal opening event once things green up and look good! We are not sure yet what form this will take, but would expect to invite those we have worked with over the life of the project.

Future Management of the Dam
Following the completion of the works, the future management of the dam will involve:

• Weekly inspection of the dam;
• Monthly test of the new drawdown structure;
• Six monthly inspection by a specialist independent engineer;
• Grass cutting and general landscape maintenance of the dam

At present we have not made arrangements with the Scouts for their return to the site, but hopefully this will be agreed in time for the summer.

Best regards

Geoff Sinclair
Head of Operations
Open Spaces, Epping Forest
The Warren, Loughton, Essex, IG10 4RW
Tel: 020 8532 1010/Direct: 020 8532 5301
geoff.sinclair@cityoflondon.gov.uk
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/epping