DNR recommends Rockford dam be breached

An Iowa Department of Natural Resources water specialist has recommended that a hole be punched in the Shell Rock River dam near Rockford to relieve pressure on the leaking structure.

The Charles City Press reported that Jon Garton of the DNR Water Resources Section suggested the small dam be breached until it can be repaired or removed.

Floyd County Conservation Director Doug Schroeder said a 2003 inspection of the 138-year-old dam indicated it was in poor condition and in need of extensive repairs. The dam further deteriorated in August, which prompted another inspection of an area where it was being undercut by the river.

A water vortex above the dam indicated there was a leak either under the dam or through it, said Schroeder.

Garton's report following the September inspection said "the dam is currently in a state of failure."

"The local county and state personnel reviewed the safety issues of a dam failure and the liability issues for the county and private land owners on this issue," Schroeder said.

Schroeder has said the biggest threat of a dam failure would be for anyone fishing on the river or near the dam when it would break. The river would only rise a foot or two downstream before falling.

He said the next step is to review data that was collected from the site on Oct. 12 and consider the best way to remove a portion of the dam.