The next month might be the most important for the future of the Croghan Dam in Lewis County. Engineers are currently on site testing samples to see if the dam can be restored. If not, it could be taken out all together. Our Brian Dwyer has more on why Croghan residents don't want to see that happen and what crews are saying about the samples they're taking.

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LEWIS COUNTY, N.Y. -- Drills are burying deep inside the cement and rock of the Croghan Dam. The goal, to find out if it's in good enough shape to be saved.

"It's helpful to know what's below the dam," Gomez and Sullivan Environmental Scientist Katelyn Zatwarnicki said. "You want to make sure it's uniform rock and solid and there aren't any intrusions or anything that could cause some potential problems."

Scientists say the samples that have been removed look surprisingly good for the historic dam. But they are seeing some of the problems that led to the dam being categorized as a major flooding hazard by the DEC. The DEC has already lowered water levels and wanted to take out the whole dam.

"The concrete has eroded away in some areas," Zatwarnicki added. "Especially if you're looking at the face of the dam. There are some cracks, which I have measured yesterday."

But the fact the engineers seem happy with what they see with the naked eye is great news to those who want to see the dam restored.

"What we hope to show is that the dam is stable and that we can lower the hazard classification by the DEC and we can get it fixed."

Getting it fixed could mean saving the state's only water-powered lumber mill and a lot more.

"We'll keep our fire protection that's provided in the head waters," Croghan resident Glen Gagnier, who's leading the charge to save the dam said. "We'll have recreation up stream. Land owners will keep the scenic beauty behind the houses and their property values will remain the same."

Crews are expected to finish taking samples Thursday. Testing those samples could take several weeks.