Batavia dam remains major concern

BATAVIA – The deteriorating condition of Batavia's Fox River dam is prompting city aldermen to consider comprehensive planning for the community's entire riverfront.

During a committee meeting March 20, aldermen took no action on a proposal to make repairs to the dam, but instead engaged in a lengthy discussion about the structure, the future of Depot Pond and the potential for the entire course of Batavia’s waterway.

A joint memo from Batavia City Administrator Laura Newman and Batavia Park District Executive Director Allison Niemela recommended making repairs to the dam.

The two administrators reported that “… the dam has continued to deteriorate to the extent that a significant fissure exists in the east abutment that creates a concentration of water flow that exacerbates this condition.”

The dam extends from the tip of the peninsula north of the Batavia Government Center across the main river channel to the east bank at the Challenge building.

On the west side of the peninsula is Depot Pond, which would be reduced to a dried-up mudflat in the event of a catastrophic failure of the dam.

A study performed in 2003 concluded that it would cost $12 million to enclose the pond and install a pump system to maintain water levels, according to the memo.

Now, the city and park district can expect no assistance from the state of Illinois to take on such a project, the report continued.

Nevertheless, aldermen were hesitant to authorize a study for repair of the dam.

“I have real reservations going down this path,” 7th Ward Alderman Dave Brown said.

Second Ward Alderman Alan Wolff said the city should focus its effort on preserving the pond by enclosing the body of water.

First Ward Alderman Scott Salvati said the city needs “a clearly defined plan of the riverfront, from Fabyan to Mooseheart, written and codified.”

Brown agreed, suggesting that the city commission a consulting firm to evaluate the entire shoreline through Batavia.

“You need some expertise to help you do that,” Brown said.

First Ward Alderman Michael O’Brien said the linchpin in any riverfront plan is the dam.

“The elephant in the room is the dam itself,” O’Brien said. “When it fails, what do we do?”

Meanwhile, the city plans to go out for bids in April on a plan to install lighting and signs near the dam, alerting boaters and pedestrians to the danger.

The city’s insurance carrier is making the warnings a condition of providing liability coverage.