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Vernon County staff outline NRCS27 preferred plan to decommission most PL-566 flood-control dams
Summary
County conservation staff told the Board that NRCS27s "preferred alternative" would remove most PL-566 dams in the West Fork of the Kickapoo and Coon Creek watersheds, citing outdated design rainfall data, breached structures and high repair costs; Jersey Valley is the lone exception.
County Conservationist Ben Wojahn and Resource Conservationist Mark Erickson told the Vernon County Board of Supervisors on April 23 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture27s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has recommended decommissioning the majority of the county27s PL-566 flood-control dams. Chair Lorn Goede convened the special meeting to allow staff and NRCS Engineer Steve Becker to explain the agency27s "preferred alternative."
Wojahn said the process began in 2018 and the recommendation is not a sudden decision. "This process began back in August of 2018 so this is not something new or rushed," he said, adding that NRCS27s study showed most structures no longer meet hydraulic requirements under updated rainfall totals. Erickson said many dams were designed using 1950s and 1960s rainfall data and that "the pipes are too small" and several dams have already been breached, making repairs complex and expensive.
Staff emphasized the county can choose to retain dams without federal assistance but would then bear full future maintenance and repair costs. Wojahn said NRCS and federal partners have offered funding under the preferred alternative and that Steve Becker worked to secure a funding arrangement intended to cover 100 percent of needed costs in most cases, with some exceptions. Wojahn cautioned that cost figures remain estimates until engineering and bidding are completed.
The presentation closed with staff urging the board to move forward so engineering, design and funding steps could begin; Wojahn told supervisors, "going forward with the preferred alternative now does not mean the County is locked in to everything and decisions can be changed as this progresses." The Land & Water Committee plans to present a resolution to the full board in June to advance next steps.
