After completion of the dam, the town won approval from the state last week to impound water in the lake.

HOPE MILLS — Timothy Tew brought his 5-year-old daughter Bailey to the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Hope Mills Lake dam Wednesday.

"We walk by every couple of days and look at it, but she's never seen it up full," Tew said.

But the lake was full Wednesday, for the first time in nearly eight years.

The shimmering water provided the perfect backdrop for the ceremony, held Wednesday afternoon on a grassy area next to the lake.

It marked the culmination of the town's efforts to regain the lake, which drained after a 2010 dam failure.

"I'm the happiest mayor in the United States," said Mayor Jackie Warner. "There's been other moments in my life, but this is one of the most special times."

Dozens of residents gathered to see officials use gold-colored scissors to cut a red ribbon, symbolizing the completion of the dam. State officials approved the work last week, clearing the way to impound water.

The refilling process was expected to take three weeks, but heavy rain earlier this week brought the water level up. After the lake filled, the decision was made to close the gate on the dam and retain the water.

"Can you believe how beautiful it is?" Warner said. "No one expected it to be here, and no one expected it to be perfect, but it is."

The town's struggles with the lake go back to Memorial Day weekend 2003. That's when an 80-year earthen dam failed in heavy rain, emptying the lake.

After a long battle to secure funding, a new dam was finally completed by 2009 at a cost of around $14 million.

Then, in June 2010, that dam failed.

The town won a $9.4 million settlement from the designers and builders of the failed dam, which it used to pay for a new dam. The new dam was originally budgeted at about $8.8 million, although the cost eventually rose to about $9.6 million.

The new dam was originally scheduled to be completed early last year. Weather and permitting delays pushed the completion date back.

Wednesday, things like delays and cost overruns were not mentioned as officials and residents gathered to celebrate.

"It's exciting. We've waited a long time," said Hope Mills Commissioner Meg Larson. "It's a great day. It's nice to see everybody so excited about it. Now, they'll get to see why everybody's worked so hard."

After an invocation and welcoming remarks, the officials cut the ribbon to cheers from the people who gathered to watch. They wore sweatshirts which read, "Hope Mills Lake Memories Last a Lifetime January 31, 2018."

Jerry Legge, the longest-serving Hope Mills commissioner, snipped the ribbon. He was on the Board of Commissioners during both dam failures. Legge was close to tears, calling the ceremony "very emotional."

"I've been waiting on this day," Legge said. "Wasn't sure I'd live to see it, but here we are."

Timothy Tew, who grew up in Hope Mills, said he remembers going to Fourth of July celebrations and other events at the lake.

Now, Tew said, he is looking forward to experiencing the lake with his daughter.

"Maybe doing some swimming, maybe doing some fishing," he said. "Just enjoying the lake."

Stafff writer Rodger Mullen can be reached at rmullen@fayobserver.com or 486-3561.