The 17-day public comment period for the Crissy Lake Dam Modification Project ended on March 20th, and the steering committee has reviewed the feedback. A total of 39 comments were submitted, including support for specific design options, general approval of the rock arch rapids concept, and some opposition to the entire project.
Supporters of Option 2, which maintains the current water level, emphasized its aesthetic value, recreational access, and benefits to wildlife. Advocates for Option 1, which restores the natural river channel, highlighted the importance of proactive sediment and invasive vegetation management, expanded fishing access, and improved habitat in the shallow, sediment-filled impoundment.
Opponents of the project raised concerns that removing the dam could make it easier for invasive carp to spread and questioned whether the new structure would withstand 100-year flood events. However, research and calculations from the Army Corps of Engineers indicate that similar projects have successfully managed flood risks. Additionally, while common carp are already present both upstream and downstream of Crissy Lake, there have been no sightings of silver or bighead carp in the Pomme de Terre River, and replacing the dam with a rock arch rapids is not expected to affect their spread.
The steering committee is now working on a modified design that addresses many of the comments and concerns. Once finalized, there will be a presentation at the Morris City Council to receive feedback and answer questions, and another public informational meeting. The date for the public informational meeting has not been determined yet, but when it is, it will be announced in the Stevens County Times, on the PDTRA website, posted on Facebook and shared with the City of Morris and Stevens County pages, and sent to other relevant distribution entities such as the Morris Chamber of Commerce.