Morris council endorses Chrissy Lake dam restoration, asks manager to draft support letter

The Morris City Council on Aug. 12 voted to ask the city manager to draft a letter of support for a proposed restoration of the Chrissy Lake dam and associated channel improvements.

Becca, a member of the project steering committee, and Matt, the district administrator on the committee, updated the council on design revisions made after two recent public meetings. The revised plan includes targeted dredging to deepen upstream pools, excavation to create larger, fishable pool areas, and changes to the location of lower rock rapids to increase public access near the campground, they said.

Matt said the steering committee sought to balance resident concerns about water levels and access while keeping the design off neighboring private property. He told the council the proposed plan protects campground use by building up adjacent ground to maintain elevation above the normal pool. He added that the project is currently 100% grant funded and will cost the city nothing to implement in its current funding plan.

Several council members and members of the steering committee said public input had been incorporated and that the revisions improved access and safety. Council members expressed support for early action to address a failing dam, citing long‑term sedimentation and safety issues if nothing is done.

Council moved to have the city manager draft a written letter of support for the Chrissy Lake dam project; the motion passed on a voice vote.

What happens next: staff will draft the letter and, per the council’s motion, transmit it to the steering committee and funding partners to accompany grant or permit applications.

Speakers quoted or paraphrased are included on the meeting’s public speaker list and spoke during the Chrissy Lake agenda item.