‘The Ultimate Sacrifice’ CREDIT: city of Elgin

The spring edition of Elgin’s Neighbor newsletter contains an excellent special pull-out section to help residents stay safe during severe weather events and understand the importance of dam safety.

• Elgin residents can sign up for the e-newsletter here.

Here’s an excerpt from that special section, which provides important information for all residents of Kane County:

Dams Can Be ‘Downing Machines’

Elgin residents are encouraged to enjoy the river, and avoid the dam. The Elgin dam may look inviting, but it is deceptively powerful and dangerous. Be sure to enjoy it from a safe distance.

• Strong currents on the south (lower portion) of the dam trap objects and people in the turbulent boil and pull them into the face of the dam. This is a hazard consistent with “low-head” dams — such as the one in Elgin — giving these dams the ominous nickname of “drowning machines.”
• Orange and white buoys placed upstream (north) of the dam identify restricted areas. The closer to a dam, the more hazardous it can be. The current increases in strength, depending on the volume of water flowing down the river — the more water, the greater the danger.
• Even when water levels are low, there is a danger when wading too close to the dam. Debris such as heavy logs can wash downstream and be propelled over the dam, striking people on the other side without warning.
• Be aware that the river floor south of the dam can be full of debris. Rocks, logs, discarded construction materials and uneven ground can become a trip and entanglement hazard, potentially pinning people under the water. Watercraft and their motors can also be damaged by underwater debris.
• There is no way to go over the dam safely. All watercraft must be removed from the river prior to the dam, carried to the other side and put back in the water in a safe area.

Elgin Dam History

• Original Dam: Built in 1836-37 with logs paid for by James Gifford and Sam Kimball. It was washed out by a flood in 1849.
• Dam 2: Built in 1849 and maintained by the Elgin Hydraulic Company. It was washed out by an 1881 flood.
• Dam 3: Built in 1881-82 by Elgin Hydraulic Company for $13,000.
• Current Dam: Built in 1901 using brick, stone and concrete on rock foundations.

Dangers of the Dam

The Fox River and its surrounding watershed are highly valued ecological and recreational resources. However, not all parts of the river are safe. Dam Safety Awareness Day on May 31 reminds residents of the potential dangers that dams pose.

While dams provide many benefits to communities—such as storage of drinking water and improvement of wildlife habitats—they can also pose a significant flood risk if they fail or are not treated with respect. Dam safety is a shared responsibility and everyone is encouraged to “know their risks, know their roles, know the benefits of dams and take action.”

Elgin’s dam poses a significant hazard to anyone in or near it. It caused the death of Elgin Fire Department members Captain Stanley Balsis and Firefighter Michael Whalen while attempting to rescue teenagers who underestimated the dam’s power. Both were killed in 1974 when their rescue boat capsized. This tragedy continues to serve as a reminder that when enjoying water-related activities on the Fox River, always exercise caution.

Dam Safety Awareness Day

Annual National Dam Safety Awareness Day occurs on May 31 to commemorate the failure of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, PA, in 1889. The dam failure resulted in the loss of more than 2,200 lives and was the worst failure of a dam in the history of the United States.