Update Powell Falls Dam Removal

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As of October 2023 - Lower Kinni Restoration and Powell Dam removal are on "pause" while the City, the US Army Corp of Engineers (COE), the community and stakeholder work through the COE feasibility study process.  We anticipate a viable project recommendation that will lead to Federal Matching Funding of $10,000,000 toward Kinni Ecological Restoration. 

The City of River Falls obtained an extension on the current hydro operations license for Junction Fall until August 2023, to allow for the community master planning process that resulted in a resolution (see side bar) and the adoption in January 2019 of the Kinnickinnic River Corridor Master Plan (KRCP).  

June 28-29, 2020 a 6.75 inch rain fall caused flooding within the Kinnickinnic Watershed. This flood damage roads, storm water run-off areas and clogged the Junction and Powell Dam intakes.  Powell Dam also had visible damage to the concrete on the right side. To determine the extent of the damage and ensure dam safety, the City, stakeholders, WDNR and FERC agreed to a draw down.  The Powell Dam impoundment was drawn down between October 2 and 15, 2020.  The Dam inspection was completed October 19, 2020 by Ayes Associates, Inc.  Final report and supporting information were sent to FERC on 12/22/2020.  Review the report 

Before, during and after draw down, KinniCC partnered with volunteers to complete monitoring by drone flown in a repeatable pattern over the lakebed and channel above Powell Dam and the river below Powell Dam to the confluence with the Rocky Branch.   The videos and photos from these periodic flights are posted on the KinniCC website:River Monitoring.   

KinniCC engaged Sean Morrison, geomorphologist, from Inter-Fluve to provide a technical analysis of the channel formation, sediment movement as support to decommissioning and restoration planning.  

Review the final report and supporting appendix to learn more about the impact on the Kinni. 

Inter-Fluve Technical Memorandum (December 2020)

Inter-Fluve Drawdown Orthophotos and channel formation progression (December 2020)

You can also review on the KinniCC reports and resources page. 

Powell Falls Dam Decommissioning was completed in March 2022.  KinniCC assisted the City in securing a $1,000,000 WDNR Dam Removal Grant in June 2022.  We continue to raise funds toward long term ecological restoration with an anticipated total cost of $15M to $17M depending on the level of stormwater mitigation and recreational enhancements we can bring into the initial restoration efforts. 

Lower Kinni Ecological Restoration Objectives 

1. Design for climate resilience (More frequent and larger 24 hour rainfall events ambient temperature increase, groundwater management; upper dam continues to operate in Run-of-the-river condition) .
2. Maintain / enhance Class 1 Trout Fishery between South Fork and Rocky Branch (1 Mile of Kinni mainstem and confluences including Mann Valley Creek) - Encourage Brook Trout over Brown where suitable and viable. 
3. Design with a preference for landscape that supports pollinators and native plants and upland and riparian habitat for birds, reptiles and other animals.  The area adjoining Foster Conservancy should reflect compatible habitat to the Oak Savana / Oak Forest remnant and protect/preserve that community. (Mitigate disruption and invasives, restore any disturbance during construction phase I.) 
4. Use sustainable design to mitigate and manage storm water run-off and limit direct discharge into the Kinni or tributaries (settling ponds, wetland design, flood plain connection, etc.)  Integrate with City storm water management and mitigation approaches and maintenance activities. (Add Adopt-A-Pond and Adopt-a-rain garden programming supported by collaboration with Service or NFP partners.) 
5. Design for access around and future removal of Junction Falls Dam, including sediment management. 
6. Phases to include removal and management of invasive aquatic plants or species in the project area (encourage collaboration with public landowner organizations adjoining project area.)  
7. Continue to build an inclusive,  respectful, "leave no trace" culture for river users through community education and signage, amenities and support such as recycling containers, charging stations and invasives mitigation like boot and boat cleaning stations. 
8. Design / concept plans to include in later phases spring pond (Locust/ Maple/ Apollo) drainage area and prep work for connections to future ecological restoration of that area (35 acres). Anticipate impacts of extension of Locust Street in design concept and recommendations. Recreational amenities like trails; portage and landing, boardwalks in wetlands also part of later phases. 

We all love to be on, in or near the Kinni.  There are so many ways to enjoy the beauty and recreation on this Outstanding Cold-Water resource.   Paddling a canoe or kayak solo or with a group of friends, fly fishing, bird and wildlife watching, hiking, biking, doing outdoor yoga or meditation, hanging out on one of the local restaurant patios and so much more.    Enjoy an overview of River Falls. 

The upper Kinni is very accessible with multiple public landings on the upper river, north of River Falls on DNR  and  Kinnickinnic River Land Trust managed conservation sites.  The character of the river here is a meandering  narrow track through active agricultural and residential properties. The Kinni runs through the heart of River Falls and is part of our mainstreet, with 4 bridge crossings within 7 miles.  Below Powell Falls Dam the Kinni flows into a driftless area canyon that feels very wild and remote.  There is only one public access point about 4 miles below River Falls, until river users get to the confluence with the St. Croix River at the Kinnickinnic State Park landing on County F.  The lower river has limited access and can be unsafe for inexperienced paddlers or anglers. 

With so much to do and enjoy, the community is naturally concerned that the condition of the river be managed to keep it cold and clean.  We also want residents and visitors to be safe and have fun, spend time and a few dollars and get to know what River Falls has to offer.   

Kinni Corridor Collaborative is taking the lead role in facilitating conversations with the multiple private, commercial and public stakeholders.  Here are some of the questions we'll be exploring and working to resolve through a community action plan.  

•  Who uses the river and for what recreational activities? Where and how do they get to the river? 
• Who has right-of-way on the river and when? 
• How do we managing trash and human waste - keeping river clean, cold and safe?
• Trail and river access points - where are they now, how might we add or change?
• What river and land-based habitat management is needed  and where? Who can do that work?

We'll be building on the information in the Kinnickinnic River Corridor Master Plan to continue the dialog, develop river user educational materials and offer regular opportunities to do hands on river clean up and enhancement projects. River Development and management are an on-going process. 

Kinni Corridor Collaborative is one of the partners supporting this project to project a special place on the Kinni just below Powell Falls dam.  Kinnickinnic River Land Trust (KRLT) purchased a key 40-acre, old growth forested parcel of land in the lower river canyon downstream of Powell Falls. The parcel contains 1,500 feet of river frontage and includes the mouth of Rocky Branch. The purchase  includes a road easement to connect the River Falls School Forest, which has been landlocked for years.  Trails content both Community Forest and School Forest to Glen Park and River Hills Park through the Kinni Trail System. .

This is an extraordinary opportunity for KRLT, the Community of River Falls, and the River Falls School District. “ Successfully acquining this 40-acre community forest will enhance public access to the Kinnickinnic River, increase angler opportunities, protect Rocky Branch confluence, provide space for environmental education, and expand recreation.  Over 100 acres in total are protected and connected through this project. 

The Community Forest Project is part of the Kinni Corridor Plan guiding principles and aligns with the Kinni Corridor Collaborative vision for our impact in the community.