Michigamme River Basin Authority to buy Republic Dam
REPUBLIC — Some work is being done at a dam out in Republic.
The Michigamme River Basin Authority has agreed to purchase the Republic Dam from Republic Mountain Lake LLC for $50,000. The three lift gates of the dam were re-fabricated and re-installed by A. Lindberg & Sons for $49,000. The costs of the repair are being funded by the Authority, The Republic Sportsman’s Club, and some of the locals who live on the basin.
The repair to the gates for the dam will greatly fund the economy of Republic, which is transitioning into a recreational community.
“We’ve got a new campground, we’ve got moose rapids on the Michigamme, and we’ve got the heritage trail and the wetland preserve,’ said MRBA Chairman James Brennan. “Hopefully this will help us get people to come here and fish more, because you can get in between the basins with boats with the water level up.”
Water levels will rise for the Annual Fishing Derby in July. Brennan says the next step is to fund a spillway, which will replace the dam in the long run.