Dam elimination includes many benefits

To the Editor,

     The residents of Jones County have an opportunity to re-connect to their river in a proactive, positive manner. Consider the factors associated the existence of the Mon Maq low-head dam:

     • Safety Liability: The elimination of the low-head dam safety issue. Low head dams are called “drowning machines” for good reason – loss of human life. Low head dams in Iowa have claimed 160 lives since 1900. Very successful low head dam remediation projects have been completed on the Des Moines river at Boone and on the Wapsipinicon river at Quasqueton eliminating their “drowning machines.” The elimination and/or modification of the Mon Maq low-head dam would remove the potential costly litigation and liability associated with the low head dam.

     • Financial Liability: Like any concrete structure, a low head dam has continuous and long-term maintenance costs. The Mon Maq Dam currently has severe structural issues that require fixing and then will require continued maintenance. And the river has the ability to increase the maintenance costs or create new refurbishment costs on a seasonal basis. Funding has been secured to eliminate/remediate the low-head dam and its maintenance/refurbishment costs. Refurbishment of the low-head dam would result in committing future Jones County residents the burden of any future dam maintenance costs.

     • Restoration of the river ecology: The elimination or modification of low-head dams will result in the re-establishment of a natural river environment in terms of both fauna and flora. Successful low-head dam remediation projects at Charles City, Manchester and Elkader have resulted in improving the fishing and recreation opportunities for those communities. Elimination and/or modification of the low head dam would provide additional recreational benefit for the Jones County residents and local community.

     The investment in low-head dam mitigation activities has resulted in tremendous benefits for many Iowa communities. I highly encourage the residents of Jones County to approve a Mon Maq low-head dam elimination/remediation project and enjoy the benefits other Iowa communities have realized.

David Hillman

Cedar Rapids