3433 Oakwood Hills Pkwy Eau Claire , WI 54701-7698
Address Service Requested
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID Merrill WI PERMIT NO 24
A Look Back : Ayres Helps Keep County ’ s Dams – and Residents – Safe
From lakes great and small to rivers and streams , Wisconsin is home to abundant water resources . Many of those water bodies are controlled by dams ; the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says there are some 3,900 dams in the state . They need regular inspection and maintenance to continue protecting people and property from floods while generating hydroelectric power and providing recreational opportunities .
RICE LAKE DAM
The northern Wisconsin county of Barron is responsible for maintaining seven dams that provide recreational opportunities for Wisconsin residents . Over the last 40 + years , Ayres has helped the County keep these dams safe by designing repairs or replacements for dams , gates , and spillways , providing Emergency Action Plans ( EAPs ) and dam failure analyses , and completing inspections under Wisconsin ’ s Owner Responsible Inspection Program for all seven of these dams .
The City of Rice Lake is home to the high-hazard Rice Lake
Dam just upstream of Main Street in the City ’ s downtown . The dam is considered high hazard because if it were to fail , it could potentially affect many people and properties downstream .
Ayres designed the replacement of the Rice Lake Dam in the early 1980s and continues to work with the County to keep it in good repair . Every two years since 2010 , Ayres has inspected the dam . Ayres ’ most recent inspection in September 2020 found the dam in good condition and ready to continue serving the County safely .