A generator failure at the Balsam Row Road Dam will cause unstable water levels north of the dam for the rest of the winter, according to the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department.
“It should only impact the waterway north of the Balsam Row Road Dam, which is about 1.7 miles in our county,” said Lt. Chris Madle, also the county’s emergency management director. “They’re not worried about flooding or anything right now. They’re just worried about unstable ice conditions with the waters being higher and lower beneath the ice.”
Madle said Jan. 8 the biggest concern now is from the Menominee Reservation and how the water levels will impact the river farther north.
Madle said he talked with John Krizan, lead operator with Wolf River Hydro, which owns the dam.
“One of the stakeholders was there today (Jan. 8) with an electric company trying to figure out what the game plan may be,” Madle said. “I guess all options are on the table, including getting rid of that dam.”
The dam is used to produce electricity.
“They’re in contemplation if they really want to plug more money into it or not,” Madle said. “It’s like 100-and-some years old. They’re trying to figure their cost options, how much it’s gong to cost to repair.”
Until it is repaired, this will have a severe impact on ice conditions, as some days water levels will be high and some days, they will be low.
“Water levels will not be stable the rest of the winter north of the dam,” Madle said. “Stay off the ice north up there. Don’t go fishing up there.”
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
Generator failure at dam will cause water level issues
