The future of Burlington’s Echo Lake dam became a bit murkier this week as officials learned the structure – even if it’s replaced – will not be able to contain a 500-year flood as required by the state.
But that doesn’t remove the option of a new dam from consideration. The engineering firm hired by the city is now working with state officials for special consideration of a dam with reduced spillway capacity.
The possibility of removing the dam and repurposing the land under the current lake also remains an option for officials.
The latest twist in the saga of the Echo Lake dam is among the top stories in this week’s Burlington Standard Press. The newspaper will be available at local retail outlets on Thursday. Subscribers will receive their copies with Thursday’s mail.
To arrange for weekly delivery, click here: SUBSCRIBE
Here’s a look at some of the other stories in this week’s edition:
TEACHERS GET VACCINATED AT HIGH RATE: The Burlington Area School District didn’t mandate vaccinations for staff members. But even without a mandate, staff members received the vaccine at a percentage far exceeding the district’s general population, according to numbers released last week by the district. More than 85% of staff members have received the vaccine compared to about 45% of the district’s general population.
DEPUTY STRUCK BY FLEEING DRIVER: A Walworth County Sheriff’s Deputy faces a “long and arduous” road to recovery after being struck by a fleeing vehicle he was attempting to stop early Sunday morning. Wayne Blanchard, a 20-plus-year veteran of the department suffered injuries that initially left him in critical condition at an area hospital.
COURT NEWS: A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 12 for a Burlington man who allegedly shot his wife in the leg. Salvador R. Sanchez, 43, was charged Aug. 2 in Racine County Circuit Court with injury by negligent handling of a dangerous weapon and second-degree recklessly endangering safety.
COVID SURGE PUTS COUNTY BACK AT HIGH RISK: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designated Racine County as an area with a high level of COVID-19 transmission amid the surge in new confirmed coronavirus cases.
BURLINGTON’S HALL OF FAME: Burlington’s baseball royalty – a collection of diamond talent that dates back decades – gathered to welcome its newest member Sunday at Beaumont Field.
GETTING THE BAND BACK TOGETHER: The members of a late-1960s, early 1970s pop/jazz group are reuniting for a concert in Burlington this month. Members of the Gregory James group are primed to revive the sound that made them a popular gig band in Milwaukee and Burlington.
-
-
-
-
-