Crow River Dam

[The Grebe]

Has the work started on replacing the dam in town? I had heard it was supposed to start in August sometime? Anyone know anything about any time table for completion of the new construction?

[LMITOUT]

Nothing is happening yet, but I've heard the same thing as you. Shouldn't be too much longer.

[friendlyfisher]

There was an article in todays paper stating they are going to start draining the river on sept 4th I believe. They are going to dam up campbell and otter so they do not loose their water, then they will completly drain the main river/lake in town. It will be interesting to see what happens to the fish still in the main river, cause it will only take a few days and the river will be a giant mud pit.

[Coach Dog]

Too bad they didn't start in July when it was so dry. Now we're in a wet pattern, but hopefully they will get it done.

[bassNspear]

i think if they do it the right way, it will trun out ok. the lakes will go up, but the way they were talking on doing it, sounds like there going to be able to getr done the right way.

[LMITOUT]

Tuesday the drawdown of the lake begins. It will be dry between Highway 7 and South Grade Road. Should be interesting to see what it looks like when it's under construction as well as when it's finished. The construction is supposed to begin on the 17th.

[friendlyfisher]

Yes, soon my waterfront property will be mud front property

[bassNspear]

you gota love that. Its a great thing that hutch is doing to make it look awesome. its going to bea great thing to have when its all complete.

[The Grebe]

Gonna be interesting, no doubt....did they mention a time table for completion of the project?

[LMITOUT]

Not until late this year.

[friendlyfisher]

She is wide open as of noon today. Thats the darkest water I have ever seen. They say she will be bone dry in 12 hrs.

[LMITOUT]

12 hrs? Wow. I noticed it was open a little bit ago and was wondering how long it would take.

[Stradic]

ll7:30am The dam is NOT wide open. In fact, the north gate is open maybe 2 feet and the south gate open maybe a foot. Since they opened them up the yesterday the lake has gone down maybe 1 foot. Not sure where you got your info at but at this rate it's going to take several days till it's "bone dry". Maybe they're suppose to open them up further because somebody at work was told "an inch an hour" but like I said, not at this rate. Should be cool though.

[LMITOUT]

Yeah, I drove by this morning and noticed that it hasn't dropped a whole lot either. I thought 12 hrs may be a bit optimistic also, but I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night so I'm not up on my hydrology.

An inch per hour sounds more like it.

[LPCrowRiverFisherman]

I live down in Lester and the water has gone up about 2-3 feet in the river since the 3rd.

[LMITOUT]

They must have cranked it open last night because it's dry now. There is still somewhat of a trickle in the channel, but other than that the majority of the water is gone. I drove by yesterday afternoon and the water level was not more than 2' below the top of the dam, so they must have opened it up sometime after that.

[The Grebe]

Man, if it wasn't such a drive, I'd sure like to see that. Any shutter bugs out there that could post a couple of pictures?

[LMITOUT]

I'll see if I can get some pics tomorrow for you.

[friendlyfisher]

You think there were a lot of dead fish last month with the low water? You have'nt seen nothin yet. There will be so many dead fish above and below the dam it will be a very sad sight. If you go back by Roberts park there are hundreds of fish trapped and swimming in 1/2 foot water.

Below the dam is so muddy that fish cant even get any oxygen out of the water.

[LMITOUT]

I posted some pics that I took this morning HERE .

Broadband challenged internet users beware.

[The Grebe]

LO...WOW!!! Thanks for posting the pics! Man, I had no idea it was even that deep, that close, above the dam. Most of the dead fish in the pictures, what were they, rough fish?

I bet alot of fish went on a nice wild ride down stream, once they opened the gates! I bet the raccoons and other shoreline foragers are livin large now...all the wounded and dead fish. Maybe get some 200 pound snappers and 150 pound rubber backs next season?....2 foot long crayfish!

If you get back down there, maybe take some pics below the dam, those ought to be interesting too? See whats below that bridge after all the construction....I bet some of the kids had a field day collecting lost fishing gear.

Thanks again LO, I for one really appreciate your taking the time to post those pics...I have some friends that are familiar with area, comming over to look at em.

[LMITOUT]

When the water goes down some more below the bridge I'll try to get a few more pictures. Right now there is water pooled up there just like it was earlier this summer when all the fish got trapped due to the lack of rain.

Yeah, the fish that I saw were all rough fish, but I didn't look all over to see if there was anything else in the mix.

If you have any other areas you want to see let me know.

[friendlyfisher]

I have been down there a couple times and there are a lot of dead fish above the dam. Mostly carp but a ton of catfish also. Below the dam I have noticed a lot of small crappies dead and a few walleyes. There will be a lot more in the next couple days.

[bassNspear]

that is crazy. There holding the water on the other sixe of the lake correct?

Also, are they going to let it dry up totaly, or are they going to let a little bit of the water run through.

Nice pic keep'em coming

[LMITOUT]

Yes, they've dammed the lake north of Highway 7 and also south of South Grade Road. The only water that will be in the main section of the lake will be from run-off or whatever sneaks through those two temporary dams.

After they've constructed the new rock dam/ladder system, they will measure water flows and then move rocks around to get the desired flow over and across the rocks.

[bassNspear]

how long is it going to be before its all complete.

[The Grebe]

Dunka!

[LMITOUT]

December is the scheduled completion date.

Work on the dam is supposed to begin next Monday.

[friendlyfisher]

Went by last night after work at about 5 and did not see as many dead fish as what I thought there would be. There are still alot dead but mostly carp, only a few walleyes.

[LMITOUT]

FYI-

Hear all about the reconstruction of the dam and the rare opportunity the drained river presents for clean-up and shoreline projects tonight at Hutchinson Event Center. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. is free and open to the public.