Lawrence city commissioners are ready to dive into a major Kansas River project.

Commissioners Tuesday unanimously agreed to spend up to $2.45 million to make repairs to the Bowersock Dam. They also agreed to award the repair work to L.G. Barcus & Sons Inc.

The repairs will address concerns by federal regulators that the more than 100-year-old dam is leaking considerably.

The dam is important to the city because it keeps river levels high enough for the Kaw Water Treatment plant to operate efficiently.

Commissioners made it clear that although the work on the dam likely will benefit the adjacent Bowersock Mills & Power Company, which still owns the dam, the city was paying for the work because of its need to use the dam as part of its water treatment operations.

Work on the project could begin in mid-September and likely will last into early 2010.