Fixing the Platte and Sullivan Lake Dam Cannot Wait
To the Editor,
The Platte and Sullivan Lake dam has needed repair for years, and the consequences of inaction are now impossible to ignore. Water levels across the chain are low, property values are being affected, and the overall health of the lakes is declining. Residents who have invested in these lakes, some for generations, are watching the situation get worse while the state continues to delay a solution.
The dam was built in the 1930s and collapsed in the early 2000s. It has been on the Department of Natural Resources replacement list for a long time, yet each year it gets passed over for other projects. In the meantime, nearly 3,000 acres of lake environment have been affected. Shallow conditions on Platte Lake have limited recreation, hurt local wildlife habitat, and reduced economic activity that nearby communities rely on.
Last week I met with the Department of Natural Resources and Morrison County officials to discuss the current conditions and press for immediate movement on this project. I am drafting a bonding bill for $500,000 to help get the repair funded and completed. Residents have waited long enough, and the damage from continued delays will only grow.
This issue affects more than lakefront property owners. It affects tourism, local businesses, and the tax base that supports schools, public safety, and community services. These lakes are an important asset for Morrison County, and protecting them is a responsibility we should take seriously.
I will continue to push for the state to make this repair a priority and ensure work begins as soon as possible.
Rep. Ron Kresha
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 10A