Large chunks of concrete falling from historic Elora dam

Crumbling concrete at the Drimmie Dam in Elora, Ont., is seen on Wednesday, May 1, 2013. (Phil Molto / CTV Kitchener)

The Drimmie Dam is falling down.

More chunks of concrete have fallen off the historic Elora dam and into the Grand River below.

Some say it’s unsafe.

“I think it’s a concern for the safety of the people that big slabs of concrete are falling down,” says Elora resident Zak Whitford.

But the Grand River Conservation Authority, which warned of a potential “catastrophic failure” three years ago, says the latest signs of erosion are relatively harmless.

“These large chunks that are coming off are probably more of the veneer on the surface rather than the dam structure itself, so the risk of failure is the same as it was prior to this,” says GRCA spokesperson Dave Schultz.

Major repairs of the 112-year-old dam – $1.15 million worth of them – are slated to take place this summer.

Despite the GRCA’s assurances that the dam should survive until those repairs can take place, some residents say they’d like to see the timetable moved up in light of the recent erosion.

“Maybe they should speed it up considering it is a fairly immediate concern,” says Whitford.

There is little concern for residents’ safety as the bridge is not regularly used for walking and other everyday activities.

Schultz says safety should still be a concern.

“Stay off the structure, stay away from the space downstream of it,” he says.

“It’s just not a good place to be.”