Bryant Lake, a 9-acre lake in Morgan-Monroe State Forest in Morgan County, will be lowered approximately one foot per day starting on or soon after Aug. 23 to provide an opportunity for needed repairs on dam structures.

Work is scheduled to start in September. Repairs include replacement of the drainage system and the installation of a new spillway outfall structure with erosion control at the outfall. The project also includes the installation of armoring from the top of the dam to the bottom of the spillway side of the dam.

The lake must be drained and empty during the dry season so this work can occur. The lake will be lowered about a foot a day beginning the last two weeks of August, allowing construction to begin in September.

Refilling of the lake should begin in October. With normal rainfall, the lake should be two-thirds full by mid-November. While the lake is refilling, construction will continue with armoring of the dam serving as an emergency overflow spillway. The construction project is expected to be completed by the end of 2006.

The lake will be restocked with fingerling fish once the water reaches an adequate level for survival. With sufficient rainfall, stocking should occur in late November. Provided that conditions allow the project to stay on schedule, bluegill of a size fit for catching should be available by 2008. Some small bass should be available the following year. A 14-inch minimum size limit and a five-fish daily bag limit for bass will remain in effect after the lake is restocked.