CONTACT: Susan Harding, Acting Public Information Officer, 301-600-1385
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 21, 2006

THE CITY OF FREDERICK PUMPS WATER INTO THE CARROLL CREEK CENTER CHANNEL BEFORE THE WEEKEND
A Slide Gate valve located along Carroll Creek Parkway near Bentz Street that controls water flow into the Center Section of Carroll Creek has broken in the shut position.

Frederick, MD--- As part of its proactive bridge maintenance program, the City of Frederick recently completed bridge inspections for bridges over Carroll Creek at Bentz Street, Carroll Street, and Court Street.  In order to get under the bridges to properly inspect them, the water level needed to be lowered.  This effort began on Tuesday with the closing of a slide gate valve located along Carroll Creek Parkway near Bentz Street that controls water flow into the Center Section of Carroll Creek.   This lowered the water table in the channel and allowed for completion of the bridge inspections.

On Thursday morning the City attempted to open the slide gate, but found that the opening mechanism was not operational.  The City is working on methods to locate the problems with the gate so that it can be opened and will work with the Army Corp. of Engineers for permit issues in this effort.  The City expects to know more information regarding the condition of the gate and the permits needed by next Thursday. 

In an effort to raise the water level of the Carroll Creek Center Channel through town, the City will be pumping water into the center section near Bentz Street.  This effort should improve the appearance of the creek and will contribute toward making Downtown Frederick City an attractive place to visit over the weekend.

The City will continue to pump water into the channel as needed throughout the weekend and into next week when more information may become available about the reason for the malfunctioning of the slide gate.