06.02.20 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Meeting Minutes June 2, 2020 and God Bless San Marcos. Jennifer Jensen: Good morning, I'm writing to ask that Council vote to remove Cape's Dam. The structure is dangerous, the water below it is unpredictable (I've seen several tubers get stuck on rebar and in the hydraulics), the gifted park land is inaccessible because of the danger associated with the dam, and it the functional purpose it was built for no longer exists. Moreover, scientific studies have shown that water depth will not be negatively affected and that the biological benefits of dam removal outweigh the rationale for keeping it. Jason Julian, PH Professor: City Council Members, I am writing this comment as a 7 -year citizen of San Marcos who is heavily involved in the community and as a River Scientist with 20 years of experience in stream ecology, fluvial geomorphology, and the upstream and downstream effects of dams and dam removals. I have been involved with three dam removal projects and numerous studies on river processes, water quality, stream ecology, and social demand of river systems. I have published more than 30 peer-reviewed journal articles or book chapters on these issues. In all three dam removal projects I have participated, the dams were removed to provide ecological benefits to the river and because the cost of repair of each dam was well beyond what the owner/community could afford. Repairing a small dam like Capes Dam is going to cost close to a million dollars. Being an invested resident of San Marcos, I would rather see that million dollars be spent on more beneficial causes. I conduct a lot of research on the San Marcos River and use it as a teaching laboratory for my Water Resources courses. I also kayak the San Marcos River, not as much as I would like, but at least a handful of times each year. Thus, I am very familiar with the river, its water quality, its ecology, and the social -ecological system it creates. Removing Capes Dam would provide many benefits, including enhanced water quality by removing a relatively stagnant pool behind the dam, more suitable conditions for the Texas Wild Rice, and increased habitat for the fountain darter and other species. Removing the dam would also remove a significant hazard from the river. I have taken my wife and two young children kayaking along that stretch of river several times. Each time, we portage around the dam using the island, but even then it is dangerous for small children. I would prefer a stretch of river that is safer and does not require a portage. In summary, removing Capes Dam would provide many more benefits and be less costly than trying to repair it. As a history buff, I appreciate the historical significance of Capes City of San Marcos page 5