Blog

Originally published in the Ozaukee County News Graphic

The unexpected failure of a hydraulic cylinder on Grafton’s Bridge Street Dam this spring created more than a maintenance problem. It created a rare opportunity. Rather than committing immediately to costly repairs, the Village chose to inspect the 108-year-old structure and carefully evaluate its future. Over fifteen years ago, Grafton considered removing the aging dam or installing a fish passage, but ultimately left the decision for another day. That day has arrived, and Grafton has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in the future of our river.

Grafton should seize this opportunity to seriously consider removal of the Bridge Street Dam. The Village would be in good company. Just last month, the Cedarburg Board voted to fund a feasibility study exploring removal of the Woolen Mills Dam rather than simply paying for expensive repairs at this time. Communities across Wisconsin are recognizing that aging dams are more than just aging infrastructure to be maintained. They fundamentally degrade the health of our rivers and pose risks to public safety.

Almost nothing is more harmful to a river than a dam. These aging structures choke the life from waterways—disrupting natural flows, degrading water quality, and blocking fish and wildlife from moving freely. Across the U.S., more than 500,000 dams stand in our rivers, and a staggering 85% of them are outdated, crumbling, and dangerous.

Wisconsin has around 4,000 dams and the second-highest failure rate in the country – losing nearly 30 in the last decade alone. If a failure occurs, both the Bridge Street Dam and the Woolen Mills Dam pose serious risks to residents and property, especially as our state experiences more intense and frequent rainstorms.

We need to rethink our relationship with these barriers. None of the existing dams in the Milwaukee River Basin are profitable, in terms of providing hydropower, water supply or other critical functions; most, like the Bridge Street Dam and Woolen Mills Dam, had historic uses—that no longer exist.

Arguments for keeping dams are often based on misinformation, anxiety over change, or aesthetic preferences. In terms of preserving history, it’s important to note that neither of these dams are the original structures that once powered mills; and the water you see upstream of the structures is impounded water or a reservoir used solely for recreation at the expense of river health. Dam removal allows for better stream connection with floodplains and more flood water storage. The width of rivers often does change, and the water is usually deeper, which can open the door for riverside trails, improved habitat, and new outdoor
recreational opportunities including paddling and fishing.

Wisconsin’s aging dams were not designed to withstand the weather extremes we’re now facing. There are limits to how these older structures can be repaired, and repairs are often temporary at best, rarely lasting more than a decade.

Some dam proponents argue the dam is a barrier to invasive species like sea lamprey; however, the existing dam is truly a barrier for recovering native species like Sturgeon. Sea lamprey have been in Lake Michigan for 100 years and have never moved into the Milwaukee River.

While dam removal has upfront costs, it is usually less expensive or a similar cost to major repairs—especially when considering long-term maintenance, liability, and compliance with stricter dam safety regulations. Dam removal is also a permanent solution that avoids the cycle of recurring costs and risk.

It’s exciting to see the City of Cedarburg exploring dam removal, and the Village of Grafton would benefit from a similar study of options for removing the Bridge Street Dam. When deciding what to do with a dam, communities should have the information needed to assess the full picture: public safety, river health, and long-term economic sustainability must be part of the decision to repair or remove a dam.

Traditionally, the community isn’t always represented in this dam debate. It’s time to change that.

There is a new community conversation regarding the future of the Bridge Street Dam, and a public hearing has been scheduled for Monday August 3rd at 6 PM at the Grafton High School Auditorium. We encourage residents and river users to attend and to speak up for the river.