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​​​​​​​​​​​​​Discovery Lake Dam Repair​

Discovery Lake Dam was constructed in the Research Triangle Park (RTP) campus in 1977 to control flooding. As time went on, the internal drainpipes deteriorated and required repair. Engineers at RTP, championed by NIH Structural Engineer Cameron Thompson of the ORF Facilities Management Branch, put together a solution. Bill Steinmetz, NIEHS Environmental Compliance Officer, provided some interesting insights into the project.​

“The repair was accomplished through slip-lining, which means that slightly smaller plastic pipes were inserted into the existing, original metal pipes."

This method was used with delicacy in mind, minimizing land disturbance and maintaining the dam's structural integrity. The project also repaired the shoreline using rock walls, riprap and vegetation. In order to make these restorations, the 29-acre lake was drained in October 2024, and refilling began in March of this year.

“Volunteers assembled and installed fish structures at several near shore locations to enhance aquatic habitat."

Discovery Lake, previously known as NIEHS Lake, Drew Lake, or Noname Lake, is a significant contributor to the ecosystem at RTP. It serves as a habitat or source of food for all sorts of creatures, from deer and foxes to beavers and otters. Throughout the duration of the project, Bill and his team found out some interesting facts about the wildlife.

​“Turtles seem to disappear from Discovery Lake each winter. We learned that this annual disappearance is called brumation. During the brumation period, which is a hibernation-like state of conserving energy, turtles bury themselves in the mud on the lake bottom."

With the dam repair complete, Discovery Lake can return to being an epicenter of inspiration for the RTP campus, while also keeping the surrounding area safe from flooding.

“Discovery Lake is the centerpiece of the NIEHS / EPA Campus for employees and wildlife. The lake… host[s] a variety of aquatic and terrestrial animals including… around 150 different bird species. Markers along the lake trail provide… employee enrichment."

For the full interview, click here or listen below.

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2025 ​GREEN Bingo Board ​ If you weren't able to get a bingo last year, then get ready for round two of the GREEN Bingo Board! Commit yourself to reducing resource use and improving the environment by trying these 25 initiatives throughout the year. See if you can tick off more boxes than your colleagues!​ LEARN MORE​​

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Fun Fact                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Did you know? ​​​​At Research Triangle Park, the name “Discovery Lake" was chosen from over 500 entries submitted by employees in a lake naming contest during the summer of 2012. The lake had previously been called NIEHS Lake, Drew Lake, Noname Lake, and unnamed tributary to Burdens Creek.​​

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