This design for the repair and enhancement of the Montello dam, which includes Sunset Drive, is included in a new report issued by the DNR. State Senator Luther Olsen said, “The plan is exactly what we talked about last summer. It’s what should be done.”
DNR recommends repair and enhancement of Montello dredge bank road
By Kathleen McGwin
In a Major Project Program Statement issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for the 2011-2013 Capital Development Budget, the “preferred alternative” identified and described to address the issues with Sunset Drive (dredge bank road) is reconstruction and widening of the road, repair of the dam and enhancement of recreational facilities along the end of Buffalo Lake. The report was prepared and initiated by DNR employees Thomas A. Nigus, Steven Schrage, and Dave Stertz.
Tom Nigus, in a phone interview, explained that the report still has many steps of review to go through and that it may change - and the project may not happen at all. There is also no guarantee that the preferred alternative will be acted upon by the state in their budget preparation. “The purpose of this report is to enable the state to put together some plans and specs,” said Nigus. “We’re hoping that the report will get on the State Building Commission agenda for April for review.”
Sunset Drive has been closed to traffic since the flooding in 2008 and after inspection by dam safety engineers, notice was given that the dam must be removed or repaired by December of 2012. The dam is made up of the concrete capped overflow spillway with sluice gates as well as a 2,523-foot earthen dike which makes up Sunset Drive. The DNR owns the dam and Marquette County leases land for a park and the City of Montello maintains the roadway.
In the report, the DNR gives 3 alternatives to the problem of the compromised dam. There are 2 other choices to the “preferred alternative.” They are to do nothing or to remove the dam and allow the Fox River to return to its natural depth and course. Although the dam is identified as a low risk dam if it failed, meaning there would be loss of property, but low risk of loss of life, the report does not recommend the alternative of doing nothing because of safety and the compliance order. The second alternative would be removal of the dam. The report states that although this would be a cheaper option, it would negatively affect property values and access to water for over 20 miles of developed shoreline. They also state that County and City elected leaders, local businesses, and resident strongly support retaining the dam.
The preferred alternative lists these project segments:
1. Replacement of 2,523 Feet of Earth Dike
2. Development of Public Use and Recreational Facilities Related to the Dike
3. Replacement/Repair of Lock Chamber, Water Control Gates
4. Replacement/repair of the Spillway and Abutment Walls
Total cost of the project would be $4,263,200. The report is written to be a decision in the 2011-2013 biennial budget and if approved, the report recommends beginning the work in early March after approval.
Nigus said, “There has to be a lot of political will for a project of this magnitude to move forward.”
The DNR would look for available federal dollars, as well as state and local cost share. When asked about citizen comments comparing the dredge bank road problem with the emptying of Lake Delton and its quick fix, Nigus said, “You can’t compare the two. It wasn’t a dam that failed at Lake Delton, it was a highway. It was totally different, with a different source of money for the repairs.”
Nigus was also asked about a rumor heard in Montello that the DNR would like to remove dams on all rivers. He replied, “There are definite benefits to resources to remove dams where they serve no need. The department is not proposing removing the dam on Buffalo Lake.”
He went on to say that the removal of the Grand River dam and White River lock have both benefitted anglers and the environment, but that the dam on Buffalo Lake is seen differently and wanted by many interested parties.
“Our number one concern is safety,” he said. “After that, we want to maintain and even enhance the recreational benefit to Buffalo Lake and Montello.”
State Senator Luther Olsen said in a telephone interview, “This plan is exactly what we talked about last summer. It’s what should be done. This is a wonderful resource that isn’t used like it should be. We will find the money, we have to find the money. It’s something that should be done.”
State Representative Fred Clark had not had time to read the plan when his office was contacted.
