9 dams on Fox River now considered obsolete should be removed, engineering study recommends

dam
The City of Batavia approved an engineering study last month to see if a crumbling dam on Fox River should be removed and replaced. Photo credit City of Batavia

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The US Army Corps of Engineers has wrapped up a study of dams on the Fox River and is recommending that nine be removed.

The dams were built in the mid-to-late 1800's to power industry and are now considered obsolete.

They’re in Carpentersville, Elgin, South Elgin, St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, North Aurora, Aurora and Montgomery.

The dams are a safety concern, are expensive to maintain and have led to a proliferation of invasive plant and animal species, according to the Army Corps report.

The dam in Carpentersville is already scheduled to be removed. The recommendation that they be removed opens the door to a variety of funding sources.

Three public meetings will be held--on September 18 in St. Charles, on September 19 in Elgin and September 20  in Aurora.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: City of Batavia