Dam Meeting

[LMITOUT]

Hutchinson area residents are invited to an open house May 24 on the city’s rehabilitation of the Crow River dam later this summer.

The event will take between between 5 and 7 p.m. in the council chamber of City Center, 111 Hassan St. S.E. Plans for the dam project will be presented at 5:30 p.m. and again at 6:30. People will be able to discuss their concerns, or ask questions of the various staff during the remainder of the meeting.

The current structure would be replaced with a natural rock ladder. It will enable fish to migrate upstream. The estimated cost is about $1.25 million, with the DNR chipping in a $475,000 grant and U.S. Fish and Wildlife $75,000. The city will cover the balance of the cost.

“We want folks to have a heads-up on what the project will look like, the different stages of the project, and our rough timelines,” City Engineer Kent Exner said. “This is a big project for the city that will affect a lot of people, including the many people fishing downstream.”

“Another important purpose of the meeting is to provide those with shoreline property useful information for using the lower water levels as an opportunity to protect and enhance their shorelines,” said Robert Collett, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources area hydrologist.

For those interested in the dam rebuilding, it may be a good time to get some dam answers and find out what dam work they are planning to do. The times for the dam meeting are listed above. Should be a good place to get all the dam details that we've been wondering about.

[friendlyfisher]

Thanks for the good info Limitout, I will make an effort to go. friendly

[Jameson]

$1.25 Million for some Dam rocks! Wow!

[HutchBucks]

You're darn tootin' it'll affect a lot of people...the city will just raise realestate taxes more to pay for this! It's also going to ruin the fishing anywhere downstream from the dam since they'll be able to migrate right on past it. And those poor people living upstream are gonna need mud motors to get out on the lake!!!

In my opinion it's just a real bad idea.

[carverfshrmn]

Very good info, Thanks, so how do you think this will affect the fishing in coming years both above and below the Dam? What made them decide to do this in the first place?

[Stradic]

I just had to respond to this post. Actually, a fish ladder IMPROVES the fishing in a dammed river's ecosystem. Why? The gamefish you catch below the dam will actually be able to migrate upstream to spawning areas for reproduction. The walleye's you catch below the dam more than likely are dropping their eggs in that turbulant water where they aren't getting fertilized. Yes, the water above the dam will certainly drop and will absolutely affect the shoreline and water level for those landowners. And with the mess of the latest property tax fiasco this could get ugly.

There has been a mission for a long long time to get rid of most smaller dams like this one because of the negative effect it has on the fisheries system and because of potential safety hazards. (See: Flandreau State Park Dam in New Ulm)

Dams that serve a functional purpose are fitted with true "fish ladders" so the fish can continue to migrate upstream to natural spawning areas while continuing to allow the dam to operate.

So please don't be all upset just because the walleye's won't be stacked up beneath the dam for your easy pickings! It's bad enough that there is no enforcement in this town for the people who continually fish before the season opens and keep the walleye's and northerns out of the river.

$0.02 from Strad

[LMITOUT]

Good points Stradic.

One item about enforcement that you may like to hear....I was checked by a C.O. on the opener on a local lake and I asked if he had been anywhere else that morning. Turns out he was down at the river either writing citations or issuing warnings to those who couldn't wait to fish before midnight. He said people get down there early to get their spots on shore and then lose patience waiting so they start fishing early. Yeah, I've seen people down there too and although they will claim their fishing crappies we all know better.

I've seen the preliminary plans for the fish ladder/dam and it should be interesting to see how it'll work when it's done. If you can still get along shore in that area I think there will still be some good fishing to be had. As long as the water is flowing, there are other spots downstream that hold fish as well. Just have to look for them!

[LMITOUT]

A lot of dam rocks....

It is proposed to push the face of the dam out to the west as much as 120 feet beyond its present location. And instead of a wall and moveable gates, the new dam will feature tiered lines of rocks that will allow fish to swim upstream. The design also calls for a slightly narrower frontage than originally expected.

When asked how much rock will be used, Exner said it is estimated that 12,000 tons of rocks, ranging from six inches in diameter to more than four feet, will be used. That would equal the weight of one mile-long, 120-car coal train, or almost one loaded World War II Liberty Ship. Exner said it could require 600 truckloads of rock.

An open house on the dam project takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 24, at City Center, 111 Hassan St. S.E.

[friendlyfisher]

If it allows fish to get back upstream then this is a very good thing. I agree with stradic on this one. Right now all the fish sit bellow the (Contact Us Please) just waiting to be caught. This way they will hopefully be able t oget back up stream to where ever they want to go. My only questiong is in the fall when the fish are trying to go upstream. Will there be enough water for them to get up there. We all know how low the river usually gets by august or september. I wonder if they still wont be stuck somewhere downstream. This would make the new dam a waist of time and money. friendly

[rubber duck]

Isnt this gonna make the lake go bye bye?

[LMITOUT]

So did anyone attend the meeting? Thoughts?