Apr. 7, 2024 6:45p
4-10-24 Update: The county board voted unanimously Tuesday night to support removal.
(WGTD)---If it follows the advice of two of its committees, the Racine County Board will vote Tuesday night to begin the process of removing the Horlick Dam.
A pair of county board committees voted unanimously last month to follow the recommendations of the Army Corps of Engineers and accept partial funding for the project.
Racine County is under orders from the state DNR to either fix the deteriorating dam or remove it altogether.
The Corps exhaustively studied the options and is recommending removal.
The Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network is lobbying heavily in support of the proposal. It says the dam backs up phosphorous and nutrient-laden sediment behind it which feeds invasive algae growth and warms the water to intolerable levels for wildlife. In addition, the dam prevents trout, salmon, pike and other species from passing upstream. The group predicts sports fishing would be enhanced over 160 miles of Root River tributaries and connected wetlands.
Several dozen residents who live on the impoundment behind the dam have fought the move.
However, under the plan they retain access to the new river stream.
Tuesday night’s meeting begins at 6:30 and is streamed live on the county's Facebook page.
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