UPDATE: I got this picture this morning. As you can see the core of the dike is dirt. Not sure if they are going to build a concrete bulkhead on the west side of the wall, because if water ever goes over the wall with heavy rains it will just washout the dirt core and collapse the wall. Maybe that is by design? I don’t build diversion walls so I have NO clue what I am talking about, but does anyone else know if this is the proper way to build this? Seems like the two dudes working on it today looked like they were in a race against time.
So a foot soldier sent me an interesting email about the diversion channel the city is building by the Sioux Steel District. This was planned and not something the city was hiding;
Yesterday – Saturday – I walked on the recreation trail downtown to Falls Park. As I passed under the new Sixth Street bridge, I noticed that the river now has what looks like a diversion “wall”. It has pink quartzite rocks and concrete. I examined it more when I reached Fall Park and stood on the overlook deck. It looks like the river now flows under only one portion of the railroad bridge and no longer can flow freely under the whole thing. I’m not a fan of changing the flow of a river that nature created. Do you have any information how the construction company or property owner was allowed to build that diversion wall? In my opinion, it’s unbelievable that it was built – the flooding in June should have put that project on hold.
Sioux Falls will have future heavy rain events and water will make its way to the falls and will only have a narrow channel in which to flow. This is ridiculous.
I don’t know enough about how this all works, but I would like to know IF the Corp gave permission, and if so, if they are aware of how this will work?
Scott,
This is most likely done to divert the river in such a manner, so the new development of the Mill Pond Dam can be rebuilt. This was estimated, and planned as part, in conjunction with the Steel District, and the redevelopment of Kiwanis Park. If you notice, they are beginning the phase to completely rebuild/reconstruct the dam itself. Little known fact, as they constructed the steel district, they had to completely rebuild the former “Western Channel” that once flowed around Seney Island, they put in place a new culvert, which is visible on the North side of the district, You remember what this area once looked like more than 100 years ago right? The Channel is still there today, but is underground, and water still slowly flows through it, hence the sewer line that circles the dsitict.
Whatever happened to Mike being asked to post his novellas on his own “well respected” website?
Is this diversion part of the reconstruction of the low head dam?
The Guy From Guernsey asked: “Is this diversion part of the reconstruction of the low head dam?” If it is, did they get permission from the Corps? Our folks running the city never seem to think they need permission to do anything.
I’ve never understood this CORPS of Engineers thing. Shouldn’t they be running around in fatigues with guns looking for commies? How do they have time to build dams and things?….. And what about the Army Band, when do they have time to practice? Don’t they, too, have more important things to do?…. At least back in the day, the drummer boy actually went into battle….
“Seney Island will rise again!”….. (…. “Come to think of it, that’s how Devils Tower was created” ….) 🙂
Scott,
They are working on the Mill Pond Dam, they are rebuilding it. The cougher dam will be removed later on. Also notice – Seney Island was once flanked by 2 smaller elongated islands – the dam split one of them in half, and it was noticeable in times of low water level, the other smaller island was amongst the rocks along the northeastern side of Seney Island, and if you look closer yet, you will see part of the “West Channel” exposed on the west bank, where it now goes into the Culvert that goes beneath the Steel District.
I like our Chief of Police. He’s a very dedicated public servant, but did you all catch that light color plaid sport coat he wore to the Garland press conference?….. Wow, talk about Taupeville extreme…. Yikes!….. In fact, I think Carson wore one like that during a monologue back in ’74….