Resolution to Authorize a Small Dam Option for Hemlock Dam and to Rescind the Use of Funds through the Department of Natural Resources Municipal Dam Grant Program

The Hemlock Dam creates Hemlock Slough, located at Hemlock County Park, in the Town of LaValle, Sauk County.  The dam was constructed in 1964 for recreational purposes.  During the months of August and September 2018, the dam sustained damages during a flooding event.  Subsequently, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), gave the Sauk County Land Resources and Environment Department an Administrative Order to Repair or Abandon Hemlock Dam.  The WDNR requested that a decision to abandon or repair Hemlock Dam be made by August 30, 2019.  To give the County time to review its options, an extension request was granted by the DNR.

On October 15, 2019, the decision (Resolution 132-2019) was made by the Sauk County Board of Supervisors to repair Hemlock Dam.  Shortly thereafter, Resolution 154-2019 was approved by the Sauk County Board awarding a contract to Ayres and Associates to engineer a large-scale dam for an amount not to exceed $38,041.  In addition to preparing plans/specifications for the dam, Ayres and Associates assisted with the preparation of the materials necessary to make application for the DNR Municipal Dam Grant Program.  Resolution 53-2020 authorized our participation in the program with the intention that Sauk County would pay a share of the eligible costs for the construction of the dam, which is equal to the total project cost minus the state share.

As a result of pursuing reconstruction of the dam as well as Municipal Dam Grant Funds, additional jurisdictional and maintenance requirements were proposed by the WDNR for the large-scale dam being proposed.  To avoid the additional requirements a small-scale dam was authorized by the County Board on March 16, 2021 (Resolution 29-2021).  The contracted amount for engineering services up to $76,191 was authorized in an amended contract with Ayres Associates.  Despite the authorization of the small-dam, further requirements of the DNR Municipal Dam Grant program have resulted in our inability to accept funding under the program. As a result, Sauk County would be responsible for the engineering and construction costs associated with the replacement of the Hemlock Dam.