It’s a dam shame

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor,

     Like a lot of us, I grew up in Monticello and the Maquoketa was my back yard. Back then you could get on and off the river just about anywhere you wanted. Everyone knew everyone and, as a boy, I could pretty much come and go as I pleased. I spent a lot of time fishing; I knew the best holes above and below the dam, and could get there through neighbor’s property. These are all pretty much off-limits now with “No Trespassing” signs everywhere. In fact, the city just posted some near the wastewater plant to keep old men (or maybe just one) from fishing the south side of the dam. That’s a shame.

     The public access at the dam allows 440 feet of dam face and tail-waters for fishing is all we have left. It is shame to allow the Conservation Board to take that out just because they have grants to destroy it. Their current plan has only about 150 feet of fishing access on the north side and they call that improving the fishing. How is 150 better than 440? I guess it’s a shame I don’t understand that new math.

     It’s not a done deal; we can still save our dam. Sign the petition; attend the upcoming meetings. It would be a dam shame to let it get destroyed.

Mike Duncan

Monticello, Iowa

Category:

Subscriber Login