Major Flambeau drawdown planned
Dairyland is in the planning stages for a major drawdown (about 30 ft.)
to
replace the Flambeau Hydroelectric Station’s dam floodgate seals, in
addition to other important gate maintenance tasks.
The drawdown is anticipated to begin on July 9. Refilling is expected to
begin on Sept. 27, with project completion by the end of October. “The
schedule was established to protect the fishery resource and preserve as
much of the summer recreational period as possible,” said John Thiel,
senior environmental biologist and drawdown project manager.
The Flambeau Station is a Federal Water Project, licensed by the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Dairyland’s new license for the
Flambeau Station includes a drawdown management plan which must be
approved
by FERC and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Fish habitat improvement project proposal
In addition to the drawdown, Dairyland is cooperating with Rusk County
and
local conservation groups on a proposed project to improve the Flambeau
reservoir’s fish habitat. This habitat project, if approved by the DNR,
will be coordinated in conjunction with our scheduled drawdown. Rusk
County
Soil and Water Conservation Department and Wildlife Restoration
Association
(WRA) representatives will give a presentation on the proposed fishery
habitat improvement project.
About the Flambeau Hydroelectric Station
The Flambeau Station, located on the Flambeau River five miles northeast
of
Ladysmith, has been generating electricity for Dairyland members since
1951. This water-powered facility can generate 22 MW of electricity.
In April 2004, Dairyland was awarded a new facility license for the
Flambeau Hydro Station by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
The license will not expire until Jan. 31, 2037.
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Latest on the drawdown 05-24-07
I have talked to Paula
Carow from the Rusk County Land Conservation office this
morning and have the following update on the proposed
drawdown and fish habitat project.
1. State Representative
Mary Williams is meeting with Dairyland Power Company
officials to see if there is any way that the dam repairs
can be done without doing the drawdown.
2. The DNR will
apparently be issuing a Notice of Public Hearing on Tuesday,
May 29th. There will be a 30 day opportunity for public
input. Decision on the habitat project will then be made
about July 2nd. (pushing the package!)
3. A Public Hearing will
be held on THURSDAY JUNE 14th at the Law Enforcement Center,
Rusk County Courthouse at 7:00PM to hear all comments on the
habitat project. Everyone, in favor or against the project,
is encouraged to attend and present comments.
Don
Click Here to
see the fish habitat work permit hearing details |
