New study of Hydro Dam approved
Safety issues, recreational opportunities to be examinedBy BILL SHEA Messenger staff writer
Fort Dodge City Council members decided Monday to plunge into a fresh study to determine what can be done with the Hydroelectric Dam.
The council voted to hire McLaughlin Whitewater Design Group of Denver, Colo., to examine the dam at a cost of $82,500. The firm will look at safety issues and recreational opportunities related to the dam. Its primary subcontractor, Stanley Consultants Inc., of Des Moines, will analyze the dam's generating capacity.
A $20,000 grant from the state Department of Natural Resources will pay part of the cost. The remainder of the money will come from water bill revenue.
Mike Flattery, a vice president of Stanley Consultants, said his company will not seek to manage any construction at the dam as Fort Dodge Hydroelectric Development Co., did.
''We have no vested interest in the project as far as the outcome,'' he told council members.
The city has already spent $669,128 over about four years on work related to the dam. Much of that money, about $474,000, was spent on attorneys and engineers hired by the city as local leaders fought to break ties with Fort Dodge Hydroelectric Development Co. after that firm's proposal for restarting the dam was judged to be a money-losing proposition.
Councilman Dave Flattery, who is a brother of Mike Flattery, abstained from the otherwise unanimous vote to hire McLaughlin Whitewater Design Group.
''This project continues to meander down the stream,'' Mayor Terry Lutz said.
In other business, McClure Engineering Co., of Fort Dodge was hired by a unanimous vote to design the reconstruction of Wraywood Drive. The firm will be paid $50,850. Lutz is the company's president.
Barring any unexpected special meetings, Monday was the last council session for Lutz, Councilwoman Cindy Litwiller and councilmen Dan Payne and Richard Inman. City Manager David Fierke presented them with plaques recognizing their service.
Inman, Payne and Lutz opted not to seek re-election. Litwiller ran unsuccessfully for mayor.
Mayor-elect Matt Bemrich, who is currently a councilman, and new council members Andy Fritz, Margy Halverson-Collins, Kelly Hindman and Robert ''Barney'' Patterson will installed on Jan. 4.
Contact Bill Shea at (515) 573-2141 or bshea@messengernews.net
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LiveLargeFD
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12-16-09 5:05 PM
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Whitewater parks also cost considerably less and are often eligible for state and federal grant money. The Army Corp of Engineer often times will match funds. Whitewater parks boost the use of river fronts and serve as a site for many festivals and river based celebrations. I sure would hate to have more things to do and see in town!
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LiveLargeFD
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12-16-09 5:01 PM
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no, it could possible have a waterpark and a whitewater park. These are 2 completely separate entities. One is a swimming pool/lazy river type set up which cost 9+million the other may be a whitewater park which uses the river. A whitewater park aims to improve water quality, safety, recreation and useage of the river while adding beauty and improving fishing habitat. Whitewater parks also increase the amount of O2 in the water which improves water quality.
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BonJovi
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12-16-09 1:06 PM
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Spend $82,000 on another study?!? Either start the thing back up and make some clean electricity or stop spending our money studying it. The icing on the cake is at the bottom of the article where the city council greases Lutz's pockets with $50k. Good old Fort Dodge - business as usual.
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taxpayer34
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12-16-09 10:53 AM
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so if i read this correctly fort dodge will have two waterparks
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LiveLargeFD
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12-15-09 3:04 PM
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Before you express your opposition to a whitewater park, you might want to look at some them on the internet, they are quite beautiful and useful. They also generate millions in tourism (check with the Chamber of Commerce in the cities that have them). Last I knew many people here in town complained about "nothing todo....". Here is a chance to give something to our kids and neighbors and enjoy the outdoors, perhaps even shine a pleasant light on FD. Good things and recreation CAN be part of our lives here. Lets all do more to make it happen!
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LiveLargeFD
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12-15-09 2:58 PM
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I have to applaud those that are willing to step out in a different direction and seek out new ideas. A whitewater park would be something exciting and new and a draw for the area. As far as spending the money on a study....nobody likes to spend money on things like that. The sad hard cold facts are this, to get grants (state and federal they want numbers) you need information and not just a shots in the dark or blind open estimates. Those numbers come from real studies from companies that have the knowledge and experience in the field.
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LiveLargeFD
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12-15-09 2:53 PM
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Actually, this study has NOT been done. This study is being performed by a WHITEWATER group which is recreation based vs. hydro-power based. MWDG is the best in the business and can open the door for a whooe new batch of opportunities. Google search them and see what they have done in other parts of the country., they have a great website with lots of information.
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taxpayer34
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12-15-09 11:01 AM
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this study has been done before and was deemed not feasible. Quit givin the taxpayer's money away on this useless idea of using this outdated piece of equipment.I have an idea! Blow the****up to save money!!!!!!!
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Anderson
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12-15-09 9:36 AM
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"Out, out*******spot!" Obviously, spelling is not a strong point here, including The Messenger's spell checker. Did we learn nothing from the headline blooper that even made it onto Leno? And let us shed a tear over all that GREEN energy going to waste. (It's hard NOT to be supercilious on this topic; sorry.) By the way, both the feds and the state have****(whoops, just about did it again) safety inspectors, presuming this one is on the federal register as was my 65ft high farm one.
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strandediniowa
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12-15-09 7:09 AM
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It's only money. Keep up the spending, & throw caution to the wind.
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kaleidoscope
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12-15-09 1:03 AM
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Nobody cares what Lutz thinks and good riddance to a lousy mayor! This is a good, sound decision. It will tell us what, if anything, should be done with the****and if there are any feasible recreation options for the area. My only concern is that if recreation options are possible that planners and developers of those options work closely with the DNR to preserve wildlife activity in the area.
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