Batavia residents have more than bridges to think about in regards to the Fox River, public works director Gary Larson said at Monday’s City Council meeting.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has created five plans for the replacement of the damaged North Dam near Duck Island. Although the city plays no official role in replacing the dam, residents can review the different plans from 6 to 8 p.m. July 10 in the Batavia City Council chambers. A second meeting is scheduled for July 11 to build a consensus for a single plan.
The first concept shows an extension from the existing peninsula to Duck Island. There would be two man-made dams that would gradually drop the river’s water level. This plan would not change the water level of Depot Pond.
The second plan puts a new dam with a white-water canoe course in the same location as the existing dam.
The third plan keeps a dam at the current location and includes a white-water course and a fish ladder.
The fourth plan extends an earthen dam from the peninsula to Duck Island and the west bank. It makes Duck Pond a separate lake and includes a canoe chute and fish ladder.
The final idea is to remove the concrete dam, build an earthen dam and allow the river to run naturally.
“In the meetings I’ve attended, concepts two and three received a less favorable response from our staff because of the number of people who would be attracted by the white-water course and the limited amount of parking in that area,” Larson said.
