Milwaukee Riverkeeper Still Pressing For Estabrook Dam Removal

Milwaukee County Shirks its Responsibility Tear Down the Estabrook Dam! The Estabrook Dam was put into service in 1937 to elevate water levels for recreation after a project to prevent localized flooding caused drastic reductions in water levels. Unfortunately, Estabrook Dam has been on a long decline in the past several decades and in July 2009, WDNR issued a formal "order to repair or abandon," giving Milwaukee County until January 28, 2011 to make a formal decision on what they are going to do with this structure, which currently presents a safety hazard and public nuisance. Notwithstanding having a full year and one-half to make a decision, the County Board has failed to do so. Instead, on January 28, 2011, the County Parks sent a letter stating the County was unable to make a decision and was still contemplating the issue! The fact is that Milwaukee County does not have money to repair the dam, and it should come down NOW! Total costs to keep the dam include $4.8 million to $6.3 million depending on the amount of contaminated sediment which needs to be removed just above the dam. These costs do not include likely expenses of constructing a fish ladder, which could add $1 million to project costs. Estimates also do not include costs for accessing private property and acquiring easements to access the dam from western bank of the Milwaukee River . Removing the dam is estimated from past studies at $650,000 with an additional $600,000 to re-vegetate and stabilize upstream areas. Sediment would still need to be removed as well were the dam to be removed. It is important to note that removal would save $1.3 million in operation and maintenance costs over 20 years (for a thorough financial explanation click here), and capital costs for removal could likely be paid for by taking advantage of significant federal or state grants for dam removal. Grant funds are NOT available for dam repair. The costs of repairing, replacing, and maintaining the ESTABROOK DAM in the long run will greatly exceed the costs of removing the dam NOW! Please call your County Supervisor and urge them to vote against funding repairs of the Estabrook Dam and instead to seek funds for removal of the Estabrook Dam, removal of contaminated sediments, and the restoration of the Milwaukee River in the area of the dam and existing impoundment. Milwaukee County Board decisions around this dam have focused on Supervisors' political interests/deal making, and not what is in the best interest of Milwaukee County taxpayers or their natural resources. Please urge your Supervisor to vote to remove the Estabrook Dam. For a detailed update on the Dam, county supervisor contact information, and additional talking points, please click here. Milwaukee Riverkeeper Subscribe to Riverkeeper News Donate!