Thanks for the input!
Recently, the area received 14-16 inches of rain in 4 to 6 hours and the water overtopped the dam. The emergency spillway and primary spillways did their jobs and the dam showed very little wear, but part of the Emergency spill was washed out (the downstream-downslope portion). So, I want to add more assurance that the dam or spillway will not blow out with those types of extreme events. This lake has been in existence since 1929 (my great grandfather built it) and was originally equipped with a wooden spillway. The present 21 foot wide (flat portion), concrete lined trapezoidal chute spillway replaced the wooden spillway about 45 to 50 years ago and still functions as it should. In my entire life, I have never seen the extreme rains of the past 7 years or so (such as the event described above and hurricane Harvey that dumped over 60 inches of rain about 45 miles south of me back in 2017).

I started collecting rainfall data vs. lake level data and I'm now trying to make sense of it. Again, over my entire life, I have not seen the impacts to this lake that I am presently seeing. I am also looking over historical imagery, etc. to see what has changed in the watershed and also plan to call neighbors upstream to see what they are witnessing with these storm events.

I am researching automation of the sluice gate valves. I just need the vendors I have contacted to get back to me. Never thought it would be difficult to try to buy some expensive automation equipment but these companies must have more business than the need.

I contacted the State Dam Safety office and requested a list of dam/spillway engineers but that organization has still not emailed the list. I am also and engineer (ME Civil) but sure would like to have some real world experienced person help with this project.

Kind of crazy that of all the projects I've worked with over my life about 5 -10% of the effort is technical and the rest is just pushing to get simple things done and get information. The same applies with this project.