People will have the opportunity to view a presentation about Canyon Lake Dam during the March 17 Rapid City Council meeting.

The council will discuss awarding an engineering services contract to begin short-term repairs to the dam within the next 30 to 45 days, and will also listen to a presentation about results of a recent study about the dam's condition.

The study, prepared by HDR Engineering, recommended immediate steps to address the ongoing leaks and sinkholes that threaten the dam's structural integrity. HDR is based in Omaha, Neb., and has an office in Rapid City.

Three upstream sinkholes have tunneled under the dam into the spillway. There are also points where water is seeping through the dam, most noticeably a "rooster tail" leak in the face of the dam.

The HDR report recommends the city immediately repair the sinkholes and then consider major renovation or replacement of the dam.

Filling the sinkholes could cost as much as $200,000. A total dam replacement could cost $4 million.

HDR's report is linked to Monday's agenda at www.rcgov.org/agendas/citycouncilagenda/dwcouncilagenda.htm. Click on Item 60.

Monday's council meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the City/School Administration Center, 300 Sixth St.