Work is to progress again on the repairs to Wolf Creek Dam in Critical Area #1, with work across the dam soon to shift into overdrive, according to the project manager.

David Hendrix, said the detailed analysis of the movement reported in the earthen section of the dam where it wraps around the concrete portion was attributable to work on the dam, but not the work that had originally been believed was the problem.

Work was halted on that portion of the dam six months ago because of subsidence and cracks in the roadway in that area. At the time the Corps officials speculated that movement deep within the dam caused by the grouting and drilling could be the cause.

Hendrix said this week they have established that though there was something of a group of contributing factors the most direct cause was the retaining wall put in when the original contractor was building the work platform.

"It was not the best of conditions to be putting in that sheet-piling wall or building that platform," he said. "That wall has moved toward the lake and the earth behind it has filled in the space."

He explained that their study during the period has led to the conclusion that it is safe to return to work there. There will likely be changes to the method used in that area but he would not elaborate.

"That has been sent up for approval and I don't think it would be appropriate to comment at this point," Hendrix said.

But in addition to returning to work in the critical area the whole project will likely be sped up.

"We're not far away from approving full production rates on all the work," he said.

The contractors have been fine-tuning the methods they use and the Corps will soon approve a faster pace to the work, since all the work methods have been adjusted and well-proven.

When asked what fine tuning they were working on Hendrix said it is a myriad of things.

"It is everything from the formulation of the concrete to how many teeth are on a bit and how they are angled," He said. "We've made a lot of good progress and it looks like we've perfected the methods."

He added that they have completed between 35 and 40 percent of the work on the dam, and said they will likely finish ahead of the original estimates, 2014, but because of the work stoppage in the critical area the December 2012 date is not likely to be the completion date for the repairs to Wolf Creek Dam.