Posted on September 28, 2015
The water level behind the Rochester Dam on the Fox River in the village of Rochester in Racine County, will be lowered for the 2015-2016 fall and winter season in order to complete proposed dredging in Wind Lake and Goose Lake branch canals, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
The Racine County Drainage District has applied to the DNR to dredge portions of the branch canals during the 2015-2016 fall and winter season. To facilitate the proposed dredging project, the water level behind the Rochester Dam will be lowered. The controlled drawdown will begin on, or about, Oct. 5, 2015, and completed by Oct. 20, 2015. The gates will be completely opened.
It is expected water levels will drop several feet below current levels from the Rochester Dam upstream to Waterford Dam, and from Rochester Dam upstream to Wind Lake Dam. It is anticipated that the impoundment will start to be refilled beginning Feb.15, 2016, depending on the status of the dredging project.
The 9 -foot high dam is owned by Racine County and operated by the Racine County Drainage District.
