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Ward County board weighs Burlington Dam #3 removal as Wildwood Country Club warns of business loss
Summary
The Water Resource Board reviewed options for Burlington Dam #3 — full removal, a partial 5-foot reduction (~$350,000) or a downstream rock ramp (~$750,000) — and directed HDR to prepare costed alternatives after Wildwood Country Club warned removal would deprive the course of water.
The Ward County Water Resource Board on Feb. 9 reviewed engineered options for Burlington Dam #3, including full removal, a partial removal estimated at about $350,000, and a downstream rock ramp estimated at $750,000. HDR engineer Karli Frohling said the design team met with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and learned a Section 408 permit is not required; the Corps noted the State Historic Preservation Office requested community-related mitigation.
Aaron Faken, speaking for the Wildwood Country Club Board, said the club opposes removing the dam and asked the Board to preserve the lake elevation. "Removal of the dam will leave the golf course with no water and essentially put them out of business," Faken said, and he noted the club set a record in 2025 of 15,000 rounds. After discussion, the Board voted 4-0 to ask HDR to put together options, including continued dam operation, with estimated costs for consideration at the March meeting and authorized Faken to enter the dam to take elevation shots to help with alternatives analysis.
