The water level behind the Rochester Dam on the Fox River in the village of Rochester, Racine County, will be lowered for the 2014-2015 fall and winter season in order to complete proposed dredging in Wind Lake and Goose Lake Branch Canals.
The controlled drawdown will begin on or about October 1, 2014, and the gates will be completely opened by October 15, 2014. The gates will remain open for the duration of the drawdown.
The 9-foot- high dam is owned by Racine County and operated by the Racine County Drainage District.
The Racine County Drainage District has applied to the Department of Natural Resources to dredge a portion of the Wind Lake and Goose Lake Branch Canals during the 2014-2015 fall and winter season. The water level behind the dam will be lowered to facilitate the proposed dredging project.
It is anticipated that water levels will drop several feet below current levels from the Rochester Dam upstream to Waterford Dam and from Rochester Dam upstream to Wind Lake Dam. DNR officials believe the impoundment will start to be refilled beginning February 15, 2015, depending on the status of the dredging project.
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Press Release, September 19, 2014