This is the first in a series of guest blog posts by Scott Hays, a founding member of the Upper Sangamon River Conservancy, and Prairie Rivers Network’s River Steward of 2011.

Visit Scott’s river blog!

[Quick link to the second post in the series Oakley Dam: A Rising Tide]

The Sangamon River in a "real" winter

Driving across the Sangamon River at Reas Bridge Road, my first thought was, “They were going to dam the Sangamon here?”  My second thought was, “Just where the heck is the Sangamon River anyway?”

“Here” was on a bluff by an old cemetery just north of Reas Bridge Road over looking the Sangamon River, also known in these parts as Lake Decatur.

As I looked out over the north end of Lake Decatur, it occurred to that sometimes the largest and proudest monument to a monumental effort is something you don’t even see. This is the story of this unseen monument to that monumental effort. {Continue Reading »}

Since 1989, City Water, Light, and Power (CWLP) has been trying to get the OK to build a dam in Springfield to create a second large reservoir for the city. Prairie Rivers Network and others have opposed the 7,000-acre dam project because it is not needed. We have testified that the City’s existing lake, supplemented by water from nearby well fields and gravel mining pits could supply the City with the water it needs.

The dam would permanently flood two beautiful creek valleys with their steep ravines, ancient oaks, and diverse wildflowers and wetlands. The old Pensacola Tavern, a 180-year-old brick building and stagecoach stop where Stephen Douglas gave a presidential campaign speech in 1860, still stands amidst the ancient oaks.   For more information, see our previous post.

Anti-Hunter Dam Brochure by CSWU, a Springfield-based citizen's group

It appears the Army Corps of Engineers may agree with us. The Corps has found  CWLP’s analysis of the environmental impacts of the dam unacceptable  and will require CWLP,  if it still wants a permit, to reexamine the feasibility of using the gravel pits as a water supply.

Here is a link to a project factsheet by the US Army Corps of Engineers: http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/Projects/dsp_factsheet.cfm?ProjID=F5A05759-FBBA-DA94-102FB1854749E477

Prairie Rivers Network applauds the Army Corps of Engineers for standing firm and requiring adequate study and consideration of alternatives to this harmful and unnecessary project.

For Prairie Rivers Network supporters in the Chicagoland area, we need you to attend the upcoming public meeting on the Proposed Dam – Modification Project on the East Branch of the DuPage River at Churchill Woods Forest Preserve and let your voice be heard.

Wednesday, May 19, 6 – 8 p.m.

Glen Ellyn Village Hall
535 Duane Street, Glen Ellyn, Illinois

Your participation is important!

View flyer here. Read background information here.

For additional information, call Sarah Ruthko at (630) 407-6800

Aurora Paddlefest, July 2009, Aurora, IL

Earlier this week, the proposed Dam Safety Rule that would have effectively closed many well-used Illinois rivers to paddlers was sent back to Illinois Department of Natural Resources by the legislative body that approves state agency rules (see news story). The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules cited concerns raised by the Illinois Paddling Council as the primary reason for rejecting the proposed rule. The Committee has asked DNR to revise the rule, taking a case-by-case approach, rather than the one-size-fits-all proposal for determining safety exclusion zones around dangerous low-head dams on public waterways in Illinois. Prairie Rivers Network will work with the paddling community and the DNR to come up with a workable solution that will protect lives at these dangerous dams while allowing for the safe use of rivers by paddlers.

Congratulations to Illinois Paddling Council and other groups and individuals who carried out this successful campaign!

Our paddling members and friends have set us straight on DNR’s proposed Dam Safety Rule, Rule 3703, now pending before the Illinois General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules). We expressed support for the proposed rule in a post last week. The rule would impose a 350-foot exclusion zone around all dangerous dams in order to protect the public safety and prevent the needless drowning deaths that occur in Illinois rivers nearly every year. (Also see our post on the report evaluating costs of improving safety through removal or modification.) {Continue Reading »}

Recently, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources issued a notice of proposed rules concerning Dam Safety. These rules may affect landowners, businesses, and recreationist along the river; particularly part 3703 of the rules. Part 3703 of the new rules, state that there needs to be mandatory 350′ exclusion Zones around dams. Specifically the “Exclusion Zone” means a segment of the river, beginning 50 feet downstream of a dam and proceeding to a point 300 feet upstream of the dam, that no one is allowed to enter for any purpose, except those purposes exempted by this Part. This zone includes the spillway, gates, piers and other appurtenant dam works that are not designed for the express purpose of general pedestrian access.

These new rules will undoubtedly hinder paddling on many streams, at least for the coming paddling season. And although Prairie Rivers Network feels strongly that people should be able to use and enjoy the river, we also care greatly for everyone’s safety. {Continue Reading »}