Red Mill Pond dam project now in works

News Dispatch

Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers gave a presentation Thursday that outlined a proposed project to modify and stabilize a dam at Red Mill Pond.

The Red Mill Pond Great Lakes Fisheries and Ecosystem Restoration Project includes removing a section of the dam at the emergency spillway, creating a new channel from the pond to the Little Calumet River and other features.

The project will stabilize the failing dam structure and provide a more natural flow to the area while preserving wetlands.

"The Army Corps of Engineers is looking forward to working with La Porte County Parks to help preserve the near 160 acres of high-quality wetlands at Red Mill Pond Mill," said Frank Veraldi, project planner.

Approval on the preliminary restoration project was given in March 2007. After the public meeting Thursday, the public comment section is still open until Nov. 14.

The project time line calls for the planning design and analysis to be complete in January and receive project approval in June. The project is expected to be complete by January 2011. more