Neighbors around Kannapolis Lake might hear a few booms and rumbles starting Thursday, as the city’s Lake Dam spillway replacement project moves into a noisy new chapter with controlled drilling and blasting.
City officials say a small test blast is scheduled for Thursday, with charges kept modest, carefully monitored and limited to daytime hours only. People who live near the dam may hear short, loud noises or feel slight vibrations, and the city is emphasizing that safety measures and monitoring equipment will be in place throughout the work.
According to a community post from the City of Kannapolis, this next phase includes minor drilling and blasting as crews start demolishing the old spillway. Blasts are slated between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with additional blasting expected periodically over the next several weeks. The city says every blast will be closely monitored to make sure it stays within safe limits.
What crews will do
Project documents outline a full teardown and rebuild of the aging auxiliary spillway. Crews will demolish the deteriorated concrete spillway, excavate soil and rock to the demolition limits and install temporary cofferdams while the new structure goes in.
The Kannapolis Lake Dam Spillway Replacement RFQ from the City of Kannapolis describes a new cast-in-place auxiliary spillway with a labyrinth weir, outlet works, drainage systems and riprap protection downstream.
Why the project matters
The dam dates back to 1940, and the auxiliary spillway has been flagged as both structurally deteriorated and undersized for today’s flood conditions. The city’s FY 2025-26 budget notes that repairs are being mandated by the NC Department of Environmental Quality and sets aside roughly $8.44 million for the work.
Independent records at Dam Index list Lake Kannapolis as a high-hazard, water-supply dam, which means failure could have serious impacts for people and property downstream.
When and how the blasts will happen
The city’s notice says blasting will occur only during daytime hours and will be “small, controlled and conducted by licensed professionals,” with monitoring devices in place to keep vibrations within acceptable limits. Officials say the first test blast is set for Thursday, with additional blasting continuing periodically over the coming weeks.
The same notice states that the overall spillway replacement project is expected to wrap up in 2027. Residents are being urged to steer clear of work zones and to follow any instructions from public safety personnel while crews are on site.
Why this matters for water customers
Kannapolis pulls its raw water from the reservoir behind the dam, so fixing the spillway is directly tied to how well the city can handle major storms and protect neighborhoods downstream.
Recent water supply alerts and conservation pushes, including the Bone-Dry Kannapolis coverage and a recent announcement that a boil-water advisory had been lifted, have put a spotlight on how crucial this reservoir is to everyday life in the city. City documents and state regulators say the spillway work is required to meet dam safety standards and to keep the water system reliable for years to come.
Where to get updates
Officials say they will continue to share schedule updates and safety information through city communication channels and community notices as the work progresses.
For official details, residents can review project documents and the budget package on the City of Kannapolis website, along with the community notice on Facebook.
