The Apple River Flowage has a long and unique history. A dam in the city of Amery, Wisconsin created the flowage which extends from the City of Amery to near Highway 8. This is about a 7 mile distance and a 640 acre body of water.
The Amery dam on the Apple River Flowage was first constructed in 1888 to run a saw-mill and facilitate log driving on the river. In its long history, the dam was repaired four times in 1892, 1939, 1958 and 1974. From the early 1900’s through 1974, the dam was owned by Northern Supply Company (A subsidiary of Hubbard Milling Company) and used primarily to run a gristmill. For a short period of time, the dam was also used to generate electricity which Northern Supply sold to the Amery Electric Light Company. Late in 1974 the ownership of the dam was transferred from Northern Supply to a co-ownership arrangement between the City of Amery and the Town of Lincoln. The dam is now used exclusively to maintain water levels on the flowage. Its use today provides a wide range of recreational uses from boating, fishing, canoeing and other water activities.
It should also be noted that the dam was updated in 1992 when the WI DNR inspectors identified a need for repairs. According to John Frisco, a former public works director for the city of Amery, concrete was placed along the north side of the dam structure to seal the base and the river bed. Also, the wooden “Tainter” gate formerly used to maintain water levels was replaced with a new steel gate and drive system. The abandoned gate was sent to the “Mabel Tainter Museum” in Menomonie.
During the time that the dam was privately owned, water levels on the flowage were fluctuated in response to milling needs. In the early years of the flowage, shoreline development was sparse and water level fluctuations were of little concern. However, in the late 1940’s the flowage gained a reputation as a first rate fishery which triggered a gradual increase in shoreline development and recreational use. Frequent water level fluctuations, that went relatively unnoticed in the past, brought increasing complaints from shoreline property
owners and others using the flowage for recreation. Interestingly in 1964, this use conflict was resolved, not by establishment of a minimum-maximum water level, nor by negotiation, but rather by an unexpected and controversial drawdown. In an attempt to determine the nature of the leak under the Amery dam, the Department of Natural Resources ordered a flowage drawn down in September 1973. After the inspection, the Department declared the dam unsafe and in need of extensive repairs before the flowage could be refilled. Since the estimated cost of the repair was substantial, Northern Supply Company initiated proceedings to abandon the dam. However, local sentiment was strongly in favor of repairing the dam and re-flooding the flowage. Consequently, in 1974, arrangements were made by the City of Amery and the Town of Lincoln to secure ownership and repair the dam. With a grant of $6,000 from Polk County and a gift of $27,500 from Hubbard Milling, a contract was awarded in the amount of $76,500 for accomplishing the structural repairs ordered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural resources. Actual transfer of ownership took place late in the year and by the spring of 1975 the repairs to the dam were complete. The drawdown lasted 20 months and caused a decline in the sport of fishing. The drawdown also caused some long-lasting changes in the aquatic plant community.
The dam consists of a concrete structure approximately 82 feet in length centered in the natural stream of the channel. An earth embankment approximately 300 feet in length is also included in the structure providing a connection to high ground on the east bank. Control of the water level is accomplished by the operation of a wooden tainter gate 10 feet 1 inch in width and by a stop-log section 16 feet in width. Other portions of the concrete structure of significance in control of water levels are a concrete gravity section 37 feet in length which is frequently overtopped by a few inches of flood flow and a stop-log section 12 feet 9 inches wide at the west end of the structure. Operation of the dam has raised the normal water level of the river approximately 9 feet at the dam-site. Lowering of flowage water levels up to 6 feet can be readily accomplished with the present dam configuration. Thus, rehabilitation plans involving water draw down of the flowage can be accomplished without dam alteration.
In November 1975, the Polk County Board passed a resolution forming the Apple River Protection and Rehabilitation District in accordance with Chapter 33 of the Wisconsin Statutes.
In December of 1975, the Lake District submitted an application to the Department of Natural Resources for technical assistance. In order to quantify the existing problems, identify possible causes and determine potential lake improvement schemes, the Office of Inland Lake renewal recommended a data collection program (feasibility study) in February 1976. The Lake District contracted with the consulting firm “Environmental Resource Assessments” to conduct the work. The final report was received in October 1978. An extensive and detailed report was provided.
(Please note, the above stated facts were taken from a document titled “Apple River Flowage Polk County” Feasibility Study Results: Management Alternatives by Office of Inland Lake Renewal, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 1979)
On August 25th, 1990 a new set of bylaws were passed titled “By-Laws Apple River Protection and Rehabilitation District” Click here to download the by-laws.
If any one has more historical facts please send whatever you may have to Roland Peterson, 235 Craigbrook Way, Fridley, MN 55432, or email to peter015@umn.edu. Thank you.