Rowan Commissioners have been asked to pay $127,000 as the county’s share of repair and maintenance for a $500,000 project now under way.

Commissioners have shown little interest in the major repair project, rejecting two earlier requests from Iredell officials. The county has paid around $7,000 each year for several years as its 30 percent share of routine maintenance. Under an agreement dating to the 1970s, Iredell pays 70 percent of the cost.

Rowan Commissioner Arnold Chamberlain said he, along with Commissioner Frank Tadlock and Chairman Newton Cohen, will spend about a half-day next Tuesday visiting some of the 10 dams in Iredell.

Chamberlain said Iredell Soil and Water Conservation officials have arranged the “wear your boots” tour. Some of the dam areas are home to various types of snakes.

Some farmers and residents of Rowan have asked to go along and will be making the trip, he said.

Chamberlain said he hasn’t made up his mind about whether Rowan should pay out the $127,000 or more, if needed, to maintain the dams.

“We want to make a decision based on facts,” said Chamberlain.

Earlier this week, N.C. Agricultural Commissioner Jim Graham called on the commissioners to continue support for the watershed project.

He pointed out the project was initiated by his father, James T. Graham, a former Rowan County Commissioner, and president of the state soil and water conservation organization.

The 11 dams, 10 in Iredell and one in Alexander, were only the second watershed project built in in the United States, according to Graham and published accounts.