Rise And Fall Of Big, Round And Pine Lake Levels:
History Of The Dams
Several small creeks and springs flow into Big Lake (258.8 acres), Round Lake (38 acres) and Pine Lake (106 acres). These lakes have one common discharge: an outlet at the west end of Big Lake from which flows Forest Creek. This creek empties into Horse Creek, an ultimate tributary of the St. Croix River.
The following is an eighty year chronological history of the various dams and the fall, rise, fall, rise and, finally, the officially mandated controls of the outflow for Big Lake into Forest Creek (as ordered by the court through The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources).
1883… A timber dam was constructed one-quarter mile below the Big Lake outlet creating a pond to accommodate a sawmill. The stream was deepened at the lake outlet and a wooden bulkhead with moveable flashboard gate was installed so that sufficient water would be available to operate the mill’s waterwheels downstream. This apparently lowered Big Lake height to the point where it’s overall acreage was substantially less than it is today and the wide beach areas were known to support many raspberry bushes.
1924… The milldam ceased to be used for power and the dam’s owner constructed a dike on top of the upper dam (Big Lake outlet). A small wooden flume was placed in the dike to serve as a water flow control.
1933… An additional dam was constructed between Pine and Round lakes.
1934… The Pine Lake dam was declared unlawful by the Public Service Commission and was removed.
1938… The Polk County Sportsman’s Club built a concrete dam at the old downstream milldam site to create a fish-rearing pond. The club also cut through the dike at Big Lake outlet and installed a concrete dam with a stoplog gate. Both dams were constructed without authorization from the Public Service Commission.
1940… The Public Service Commission issued a mandate wherein it ordered owners of land containing the Big Lake outlet dam and the Polk County Sportsmen’s Club to alter the dam so that a gate opening of 10 feet would be available and the maximum elevation of the opening may not be higher than 94.46 feet.
1952… The Public Service Commission issued an order, establishing maximum (96.5 feet) and minimum (95.5 feet) elevations at Big Lake (“maximum” here implies no unusual increase of water level more than 12 inches above the minimum level). It was further ordered that the maximum level be held to no more than 96 feet until the outlet section of the dam was enlarged.
1967… A new dam was constructed at the outlet of Big Lake with a spillway width of 10 feet and an elevation of 96.47 feet. The spillway of this dam was unlawfully (and unfortunately) constructed one foot higher than allowed.
Also that year, waterway regulatory functions were transferred from the Public Service Commission to the DNR (Department of Natural Resources).
1968… The DNR held a hearing in the application of Sheldon A. Weiss to raise and enlarge the Big Lake outlet dam, but Mr. Weiss, it was determined, had no ownership or rights involving the said dam. The hearing was then postponed.
Alan and Jean Stewart deeded a parcel of land containing part of the dam site to the Town of Garfield. Garfield Township now owns all of the property containing the dam.
1969… The Town of Garfield then joined in the Sheldon Weiss applications and the hearing resumed. After 106 pages of testimony by landholders, petitioners, government employees, observers, and expert witnesses; the following conclusions and mandates were the result:
1970… FINDING OF FACT AND ORDER by the DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES, WISCONSIN…Docket 3-WR-254, 02/26/70:
The dam’s maximum and minimum levels had already been set, based on sound historical parameters, and since flowage rights existed only to the maximum level (approximately the same as the approved high watermark) no further dam height was authorized.
The Town of Garfield abstained from pursuit of further flowage rights and testified that they no longer intended to obtain them. They were not prepared to face payments to landholders claiming damages for lost property or infrastructure due to artificially raised water levels.
The existing dam, however, still accommodated water levels one foot higher than allowed by legal paradigms.
During dry summer months, the existing dam cuts off water outflow. Downstream riparians are thus deprived of at least 25 percent of the base flow, which would normally pass over the dam.
To establish a higher set of operating levels would lead to longer periods of time with no outflow from the dam.
The Department of Natural Resources, in its authority under section 31.02 statutes and in accordance with foregoing findings of fact, denied the application for any additional raising of the dam.
The DNR further ordered that: The Town of Garfield construct a new dam or alter the existing one so that the levels of Big Lake will be maintained between the maximum level of 96.50 feet and the minimum level of 95.50 feet (Public Service Commission datum).
Conclusion:
Garfield Township did alter the dam in compliance with the law.
Testimony in the 1968 hearing demonstrated that raising the dam’s maximum height only temporarily (often for only a matter of days) held the water higher than its natural level. This natural level is determined by several factors; mostly however, it is simply a visible manifestation of the surrounding water table.
In the 1960’s, a board was illegally kept in the dam and, during an extended dry period, with water prohibited from flowing over the board, the lake turned into a veritable cesspool. This, and other similar episodes served to accelerate the eutrophication process (dying) of Big Lake. In other words, actions by a few (probably well-meaning) property owners resulted in having the opposite effect from the anticipated one.
Our lakes lie geographically in a wide deep belt of drainy soil and all lakes in this general area are merely open manifestations of the existing water table. Wherever there’s a swale or depression in the terrain, a slough, pond or lake will appear. Depending on rainfall and drought cycles, lake levels usually only slightly and temporarily rise above or fall below their average height.
In attempting to raise and hold a higher lake level, we would be vainly trying to raise and hold the entire surrounding thousands of acres of water table to a higher level with one tiny dam!
The approximate average annual precipitation in this part of the country is 24 inches. About 75 percent of that occurs from April to September.
There are approximately 35 thunderstorms a year in this area and the single day record rainfall was 9.5 inches. It serves our needs best when such aberrational crests in our lake levels are abated as quickly as possible, thereby minimizing the infrastructure damage and destruction of lake health.
Other than surface runoff of water, the main processes for lake level reduction are transpiration, evaporation, and saturation: water is siphoned into the air via trees, grasses and other vegetation; heat from the sun turns lake surface water into vapor, drawing it upward; ground saturation, like a sponge draws away water, building up the water table; and middle/lower ground, via fissures in the geological structure, will channel water seeping down to artesian levels.
Interestingly: locally, water through these processes approximates a yearly draw-off of 29 inches, yet annual precipitation is but 24 inches.
The natural and ideal condition of lakes such as our chain is to have both the water supply sources and the outlet flowing constantly. When the water level falls below the dam height, all the nutrients and putrefying elements become trapped in the lake; they fall to the bottom. Weeds are replanted and fertilized; weed growth and algae growth is increased!
by Jerry Hazzard
History of The Dams ….Continued 1970 – 2015
1980… Milldam washed out in late March, 1980. Inspection of washed out Milldam occurred on September 2, 1980 and it was noted that the Milldam acts as a carp barrier (invasive species).
1982… The Church Pine, Round and Big Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District is formed – including Sanitary District powers.
1984… District Board investigates re-construction of the washed out Milldam as barrier to invasive species.
1985… September 6, 1985, the land at the Milldam site was quit claim deeded to the Lake District, (including an easement to the town road). November 1, 1985 the DNR received the permit application to reconstruct the Milldam.
1986… June, 1986, new earthen Milldam constructed.
1990… On January 26, 1990, the DNR advises E. A. Needels (resident) that any time a plank is in the Outlet dam, the lake would be above its authorized level (426-D) benchmark, as chisel marked on the right abutment wall of the dam.
1995… On August 22, 1995, E. A. Needels and 2 other parties recorded an 8 day rainfall of 9.5 inches from August 7 through 14th. Documentation of flooding and subsequent lake level drops recorded.
1996… On August 6, 1996, DNR decrees that no board may be installed in the lake Outlet dam. The DNR also decrees that Big Lake water levels are 96.5 feet maximum and 95.5 feet minimum. Any board in outlet spillway would be in violation of said maximum. This year the tax exempt status of Milldam property was documented.
1997… District disputes high water benchmarks. In a letter to the DNR dated May 21, 1997, a District Board Member stated that some confusion exists regarding actual high water mark and recorded benchmarks. On August 6, 1997, the DNR again stated that the Outlet dam spillway has a fixed crest. The elevation is 96.5 feet (already set at the maximum allowable height). The DNR recommends permanent removal of boards and metal holding brackets.
1998… On November 3, 1998, a steel stop log was found in Outlet dam spillway raising the lake level to 96.7 feet – exceeding the 96.5 feet maximum. On November 23, 1998, the DNR sent a letter to the Lake District requiring the removal of the stop log.
2000… District residents unsuccessfully complain of lower lake levels in a letter to the DNR dated May 28th, 2000. It stated all but one member of the District would prefer the level of the lake be 3.5 inches higher – requesting that the stop log be put back in the Outlet dam.
2002… Lake District Annual Meeting authorizes rebuilding the Milldam. Graham Construction of Deer Park reconstructs the north side of the milldam during fall/winter/spring of 2002 & 2003.
2003… Milldam repairs completed.
2004… Outlet dam north side was reconstructed by District volunteers. Unfortunately, the benchmark (426-D) was destroyed in the process. No permit was issued.
2005… DNR agrees to post-authorization of 2004 Outlet dam repair In a letter dated January 25, 2005, the DNR considers repairs made to the Big Lake Outlet dam to be necessary and appropriate, and agreed to previous verbal authorization.
2009… Lake District investigates dam inspection services and DNR grants for future repairs.
2011… The Lake District Dams Committee inspected the Dams and noted no visible changes from previous inspections. Videos, photos and maps of dams and adjacent properties were posted on District Website.
2012… The Lake District Dams Committee inspected the Dams and noted no visible changes from previous inspections. On April 3, 2012, Terry Margenau, DNR Fisheries Supervisor, St. Croix Basin letter stated that there are carp in the Horse Creek system and that sturgeon are a potential invasive species. At present, the Milldam is an effective barrier for Big Lake if carp are not currently present.
2014… In July of 2014 the Milldam was inspected by Warren White P.E., Board Members and Mike Rogney, DNR dam inspection specialist. It was determined that vegetation should be removed from the earthen dam and the stone walls on the spillway should be re-mortared. The brush and trees roots were removed in November. The surface was seeded and covered with erosion mats.
2015… Spring inspection of the Milldam spillway revealed the movement of some of the stones. It was determined the spillway needed to be stabilized. Concrete slurry was pumped in cavities behind the stones and sealed with tuck pointing. More rock was added to the spillway floor and sealed with concrete slurry. A new metal grate was installed on top of the sluiceway for safety and to prevent tampering. A final report on the project from Warren White, civil engineer, was submitted to the DNR and is on file.
By 2016 Dam Inspection Committee
Jerry Tack
Steve Oswald
Mike Reiter
Tom Koch