(Estherville)– Plans are moving forward for a project that would remove the dam from the West Fork of the Des Moines River in Estherville and would make a number of improvements to the riverfront in that same area.
A public informational meeting on the proposed project was recently held and received positive input from those in attendance. The city council Monday further reviewed the plans. City Administrator Penny Clayton says the project would also include amenities for pedestrians by constructing a walking trail along the river…
She says an all-accessible fishing platform would also be constructed. Clayton says a deeper pool of water where the dam is at now would be maintained after the structure is removed so as not to impact fishing. It would also protect city infrastructure that runs below the river in that area. She adds the project would have no impact on the base flood elevation of the river.
Clayton says the project has a total estimated cost of some $1.3 million. She says a major share of that would need to come through grants and other funding sources. Clayton says it could be part of a more extensive project in the future…
She says that could open up some exciting opportunities for the city…
The council voted unanimously Monday to direct city staff to continue with plans and to research grant and other funding possibilities.
The dam at Estherville is the only one remaining between there and Lake Shetek, where the river starts in southwest Minnesota. Dams at Jackson and Windom were recently removed.
