Walworth County committee orders follow-up after resident digs into Beeler Dam right-of-way

Walworth County Public Works Committee members discussed enforcement actions for structures and recent excavation work on the Beeler Dam right-of-way at their June meeting, directing staff to notify property owners, coordinate with the Lake District and the Department of Natural Resources and to inventory the site by drone.

The discussion followed a recent incident in which a resident used an excavator to dig into the dam and placed fill in the county right-of-way. Richard Huff, Public Works construction manager, said, “They have no right to do that. It was also in our right of way.” Committee members agreed to pursue a mix of education and enforcement: mail a notice to owners, involve the Lake District, perform an aerial inventory and return the item to committee next month for follow-up.

Why it matters: the committee framed the issue as both a public-safety and asset-protection matter. Members said the county controls the right-of-way along Highway J…