Public entities and citizens grapple over Reasoner Dam

By APRIL KELLEY
The Reasoner dam may be overseen by a new entity in the near future after a request by a local non-profit organization during the regular Board of Supervisors meeting on Monday, Sept. 25.
Bret Harklau, the spokesman for the “Save Lake Nokomis” group (SLN) made the request of the supervisors on the heels of the Conservation Board making a request several weeks ago to reconsider option 2 as the most viable option for the dam.
“What we would like to propose to the county is if you would let us take over management of the dam,” Harklau said.
Harklau then laid out the plans the group has in the immediate future for the dam and Lake Nokomis.
“Can we give you the dam to work on? Or take it away from the conservation board and give it to a nonprofit to take care of?" District 5 Supervisor Dave Lee asked.
“It opens up some questions for legality reasons,” Supervisor Rick Pedersen said.
Supervisor Bruce Reimers stated that he feels the county is liable now.
Humboldt County Supervisor Chair, Sandy Loney suggested that they also reach out to John Torbert, executive director of the Iowa Drainage District Association.
Loney reminded the board that even if they put in new gates, the structure of the dam is still not in good shape.
Local citizen Andy Milam had several questions that he has asked and is seeking answers.
“We talk about Lake Nokomis but it is really just a wide spot in the river. This isn’t a lake. It’s a pool behind the dam. To compare it to Clear Lake and the restoration that goes on there, it’s really apples and oranges, it’s really not the same,” Milam said.
Humboldt County Conservation Director Todd Lee was on hand to answer some of the questions.
“Let’s get our questions answered about the legality over the next week and put it on the agenda for next week,” D. Lee said. Read more about this story in this week's Humboldt Independent.