After completing the Branch Lake temporary dam repair in May of 2023, the City of Ellsworth entered into a series of meetings with GEI Engineering in order to discuss next steps. Ultimately, GEI conducted a flow study with the results presented to the City in early February 2024. The City has now engaged GEI to present alternative designs for the permanent dam fix along with consideration for an included fish ladder. Once this design is presented to the City later this year and approved, then a pricing exercise will be conducted to establish a basis for pursuing financing alternatives to enable construction to begin, once permits have been obtained. No timetable for the start of construction has yet been provided. The membrane installed in the temporary repair is still holding and there are no plans to do more temporary repairs.

Rand Griffin, BLAI President, conversation with Matt Williams, City Planner