Tempe Dam breaks, IMAZ may be impacted

Nemo Brauch

As if WTC didn't have enough things to figure out befor November with the whole Oil Spill thing, now this happens.  No need to be alarmed, I'm sure they will figure something out- just be aware:

http://triathlon.competitor.com/201...eaks_10700

 

gina

Wow, I bet they will get it fixed. Plenty o' time!

Scott Alexander

It'll still be deeper than some of the swim at Vineman 70.3!!!

TerryO

Interesting develpment. Will have to keep close tabs on this.

Paul Hough

I watched the press briefing video and they said they are targeting repairs NLT 1 Nov because of a number of large events including IMAZ...they specifically mentioned Ironman Arizona. So let's hope the city sticks to the promise.

Tom Glynn

Maybe they can pump cleaner water this time. I always wondered about the signs that said "Absolutely no swimming in lake except for triathletes"

Tom Glynn

Maybe they can pump cleaner water this time. I always wondered about the signs that said "Absolutely no swimming in lake except for triathletes"

Cyclingmaniac

According to the article posted about an hour and a half ago, IMAZ will not be impacted.  Not sure how it will affect the temperature of the lake.  May be colder than previous years (?).  I'm purely guessing.   Here is the link and the paragraph from the article.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38353785

Sections of the new dam are waiting to be installed, and Tempe expects it will refill the lake by Nov. 1. Some small events will be displaced but the lake should be restored in time for the Arizona Ironman competition, one of the lakes main events.

 

Al Truscott

 To call these things a "Lake" and a "Dam" is hilarious local PR puffery. I grew up on a river wider the Tempe Town Puddle. And I'm sure the Hefty Bag people can quickly come up with a new "dam".

Next news item: late season Hurricane Yolanda decimates IM Cozumel. 3 for 3 in November, ruining WTC's profit margin for the year as they scramble to provide refunds or free spots in 2011 IMs for FL, AZ and COZ athletes left high and dry.

Scott Alexander

Found some pics of Tempe Town Lake...disheartening...

Scroll thru the slideshow for a few frames before you see them.

www.azcentral.com/php-bin/commphotos/show.php

Al Truscott

For those doing the race, look carefully at frame 75 for a swim start tip. Notice there is a ledge about 1.5 feet below the water line on the sloping concrete wall (the water line is where the green algae stops growing on the concrete). You can walk along this ledge all the way from where we get in the water until the actual swim start, and then remain there until you want to actually get in and tread water and/or warm up. Since it may take up to 20 minutes for everyone to get into the water - it is a very small area from which they let us get in - by walking along the ledge as soon as they let us in, and then standing on the ledge until about 5 minutes before race start, you can avoid getting chilled.

Coach Patrick

Now at least I can see what I sliced my toe open on in 2005 when I jumped in way too deep. Don't be a coach P!

P

chuckg

UPDATE on Tempe Town Lake Dam, this article is a couple of days old.  Things are looking promising

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/regio...am-delayed

Paul Hough

The construction company is posting a weekly update every Friday. The only issue I'm aware of is whether the 4th bladder will be manufactured and delivered in time. If not, they may build a coffer dam around that area and retrofit the installation later. Filling the dam will take 2 weeks so they are shooting for mid-Oct so the lake is full 1 Nov ... in time not just for IMAZ but for a month of activities celebrating the 100th year of Tempe.