The repair project on the dam on the Wolf River near Balsam Row Road is going smoothly, say officials with the company that owns and operates the dam.
“Wolf River Hydro LP is progressing rapidly in repairing the gate seals,” said David Cheung Atkinson, a consultant with WRHLP. “The water level is now at approximately 810 feet, down from 818 feet, and will end up at approximately 809 feet by next Wednesday (Nov. 3), where and when we anticipate stopping the draw down.”
The drawdown started Oct. 1, after federal officials expressed concern that planned repairs might not be completed before the freezing temperatures of winter. The concern was that those cold temperatures could lead to frozen gates on the dam and uncontrolled water levels.
WRHLP has hired multiple local and regional consultants and contractors to assist with the project.
“Gresham Municipal Utilities is assisting in managing and operating the facility,” Atkinson said. “Mead and Hunt has been managing the overall project, including reporting to the regulatory bodies and meeting with the different stakeholders.”
Area residents previously were fearful the drawdown could lead to stranded animals in the river and along the banks.
“While our contractor, IEI of De Pere, is doing the site work, two environmental firms have been hired to rescue stranded aquatic organisms, and more specifically, freshwater mussels daily, as the shoreline recedes,” Atkinson said. “Thousands of freshwater mussels have been safely rescued.”
WRHLP officials originally proposed a drawdown of 5 feet, but federal officials demanded a 14-foot drawdown. The final drawdown can be less if the work can be done before cold temperatures set in for the season.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
