Construction to the Lower Owl Creek Dam is nearing completion as contractors prepare to remove a temporary earthen dam from around the dam's spillway. The temporary dam was placed there to allow contractors to work in dry conditions. Major work on the Upper Owl Creek Dam was completed last month. Work on both the dams was started following an inspection of dams by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which deemed the dams unsafe and provided the borough with the option of either breaching or repairing them. Work on the lower dam is being done by Alfred Benesch & Company and Schnabel Engineering, the same engineers for the upper dam. "When work is done on both the upper and lower dams, both reservoirs will be filled back up with water for the community to cherish and enjoy," said Micah Gursky, president, Tamaqua Borough Council. "Tamaqua chose to save a valuable water and recreational resource. Now, generations from now will be glad Tamaqua voted to save the dams." Complete rehabilitation of the lower dam is expected to be completed by spring 2013.