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County staff report $2M study on dams; federal funding window favors decommissioning
Summary
County conservation staff presented a $2 million study of dams in two watersheds, saying federal engineering and decommissioning costs will be fully funded but full repair/replacement could cost the county $40–$50 million; Jersey Valley appears to meet cost-benefit criteria while others may be slated for decommissioning.
Vernon County Conservationist Ben Wojahn and Resource Conservationist Mark Erickson briefed the board on a $2 million study to evaluate nine dams in the West Fork Kickapoo and five in the Coon Creek watershed following recent breaches. Staff said the federal government will pay engineering and decommissioning costs for dams in those two watersheds, and federal guidance prefers decommissioning and removal over repair in many cases.
Erickson told supervisors that more intense and frequent rain events have increased hydraulic loads beyond the dams’ original design; a federal cost-benefit analysis showed repair or replacement benefits but rising construction costs mean the federal government often finds full repair not cost-effective. Wojahn warned the board: "we will never be offered more than 100% funding to decommission these dams again," and said Jersey Valley is an exception that met federal requirements for continued funding of repair versus removal. Staff said removal would increase floodplain extents in some areas and that an environmental impact statement acceptance starts a five-year planning timeframe.
