CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Lawmakers and state officials were on hand for a groundbreaking ceremony for the fifth phase of work to the Bluestone Dam.

The dam serves as a tool for minimizing flood risks in the New River, Kanawha River and Ohio River valleys.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers received $574 million two years ago for the project in Summers County. Work is underway to make the dam more stable, and the latest phase will include building a temporary dam so work on the main structure can be done.

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., attended the groundbreaking ceremony.