Last night’s city commission meeting began with the swearing in of city commissioner Bryan Smith. Smith ran unopposed in the April election.
Also, the city announced it has added a new page to the city website that provides information on the Third Street Dam and proposed safety improvements which involves installing boulders on the downstream side of the low-head dam to remove the undertow.
The 3rd Street Dam was built in 1936 for conservation purposes and to create a small reservoir for the City’s water supply. Since then, the City has changed its water supply to ground wells and Mid-Dakota Rural Water.
The dam is considered a low-head dam which have become known as “drowning machines” According to the website when water flows over a low head dam it drops into the water below creating a back-wash or a current. This recirculating current, which is also known as a “hydraulic”, can take an object or person to the bottom of the stream. The current then brings the object back to the dam.
Once at the face of the dam the object is forced back to the bottom from the water pouring down from above. This recirculation can hold in an object, even a boat, indefinitely and can be impossible for even an expert swimmer to escape.
The webpage includes videos and information. A link can be found on the Huron Parks and Recreation tab or by clicking here