Saint Charles committee backs study continuation, opposes dam removal for now

The Saint Charles Government Services Committee agreed by consensus to ask staff to draft a nonbinding letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) that supports continuation of the Section 519 river study but states the city opposes removal of the St. Charles Dam for now.

City staff (Speaker 2) told the committee that IDNR owns the dam and has reinitiated a multiagency study of potential removals along the Fox River. Staff said the most recent inspection in 2024 shows “major signs of deterioration” and that IDNR’s engineers have estimated a possible major rehabilitation at about $6,000,000. Staff presented amortized annual costs of roughly $183,000 and noted recurring expenses such as inspections and liability insurance that together were estimated at about $63,000 per year, while emphasizing the figures are preliminary and could change.

During discussion, several councilmembers pressed for clarity about what a ‘‘nonbinding’’ letter means and whether signing one would obligate the city to accept ownership. Speaker 6 said the council should retain decision authority and not ‘‘give away all of our rights,’’ and Speaker 3 said, “I totally oppose removing the dam.” Staff (Speaker 2) responded that the river remains IDNR’s liability during the study and that any transfer of ownership would require formal agreements and the city’s acceptance.

Members favored the third option staff presented: ask the Corps and IDNR to continue their study while explicitly stating the city does not support removal at this time. Several members requested that staff obtain more detailed cost breakdowns and historical records of prior major rehabilitation work, and they asked that IDNR and the Army Corps provide a representative or engineer to answer questions at a future meeting.

Speaker 8 asked whether state or federal funding would be available for modifications if the city later took ownership; staff said the Corps/IDNR indicated they could contribute toward modification costs but likely not the full amount (staff referenced an earlier $2,250,000 figure in materials and said contributions may be time‑sensitive and tied to project timelines).

Staff told the committee the Corps and IDNR have requested an indication of the city’s position by January and that they anticipate producing a report and seeking the city’s input by early 2027. The committee did not take a formal binding vote on ownership; rather, it directed staff to prepare the drafted letter reflecting consensus to continue the study while opposing removal and to return with more detailed data and invited experts.

The committee also asked staff to provide a public engagement plan so residents can weigh in during IDNR and Corps public-comment opportunities. The item will return to the council with staff’s draft letter and any additional materials or briefings scheduled.