MANAWA (WLUK) — Water levels in Manawa Mill Pond have been low for months – drastically lower than they used to be.
Last year, Scott Cornwell bought his retirement home right on Mill Pond.
“We absolutely loved it when it was here and then we were right over it when we saw it break the side of the dam there,” he said.
Cornwell told us there was no question that Mill Pond needed to be returned to its former glory. Not just for him, but for everyone who owns waterfront property.
“Why do you want this all to go away? You know? This is definitely an investment for the city, like any other waterway. “You will see improvement,” he said.
Down the street, Floyd Gerl was fishing in the pond. Gerl told FOX 11 he knows a lot of people who live near the water and it's been hard.
“If you're a property owner and you're buying the property with the idea that you're going to have a lakefront or waterfront, I sympathize with those people,” he said. “They bought the land with the idea that” it would be there. And now it’s not.”
Gerl hopes the city government makes progress with restoration efforts.
We keep hearing different reports about what is going on. The last I heard is that there may be some positive news about doing something about it. I might be pretty selfish at best, but I'd like to see it back there because I love fishing. That's the only thing I can do.
Manawa Mayor Mike Frazier said the city was busy working on its restoration plans.
“It's slow but sure, but we've all said, you know, we're making a decision that will last 100 years and we have the opportunity to get it right and make sure it lasts another 100 years. “,” he said.
Earlier this month, Manawa City Council approved proposals to rebuild Mill Pond.
The proposal also includes stabilizing a 310-foot stretch of shoreline on the Little Wolf River. The city will submit cost estimates for the next state budget cycle.
Gerl and Cornwell hope the city will receive the necessary funds to begin their work.
“I am willing to pay my share to have the dam there rebuilt,” said Gerl.
Frazier said engineers estimated it would take three to seven years to fully restore the dam.