Northport Dam Intact And Functional After Inspection

An inspection has revealed that Northport's Mill Pond dam is intact and operational without major structural issues after a massive rain event in late June. 

Village Manager Jered Ottenwess says the inspection report recommends restoring erosion around the embankments on either side of the spillway (water rushed over and around the dam in the rain event), but that the dam is otherwise operational.

"For example, we plan to replace cobble stones in those areas and lock them in with concrete to create a surface that resists erosion in similar rain events," Ottenwess says in an email.

The pond is scheduled to be drawn down later in the fall as part of a separately planned maintenance. At that time, crews will complete concrete repairs as well as maintenance on the embankments. They also plan to restore turf in the area left vacant by a fishing platform that was washed away.

The dam's very existence has been contentious, and Northport residents will functionally decide in November whether or not it should be kept by approving or rejecting a millage for dam repairs. 

Photo credit: Will Harper