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Estherville City Council Hears Preliminary Plans For Replacement Of Des Moines River Dam

November 03, 2021 Steve Schwaller

(Estherville)– The Estherville City Council was updated Monday evening on a possible alternative regarding the possible removal of the dam on the Des Moines River. City Administrator Penny Clayton told the council the dam was breached several years ago. She says the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has come up with a preliminary design that would eliminate the current structure but keep water levels sufficient to protect the city’s utility infrastructure that’s buried under the river bed…

“What is being proposed are a pair of cross vein weirs which is a rock formation that goes from side to side across the river at different heights. It allows for passage of water. It also has a second loop in front of that one that just changes the velocity and it’s at a little bit of a lower elevation, probably about eight tenths of a foot lower than the original crossing. So there would be a set up toward the swinging bridge area, not a set, but there would be a crossing weir up by the swinging bridge and there would be one down by where the lower head dam is, and that’s how you would control the water, based on the elevations there.”

Clayton says it’s being designed to accommodate kayakers and would improve fishing opportunities by providing a scour pool. She adds they’re planning to apply for a grant that would help cover final design and engineering costs.

Clayton adds a public informational meeting is being planned as part of the process.

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