A plan to modify the River Valley Park low-head dam on the Skunk River was approved by the Ames City Council Tuesday night, but not without some discussion of the wisdom in adding attractive features to a water hazard. 

The dam is the subject of a project proposed by the Skunk River Paddlers organization to increase safety and provide some recreational features for kayakers and rafters, who already use the waters downstream from the dam.

The dam was constructed by the city in 1984 to create a pool to recharge the city's aquifer.

The safety of low-head dams has become an increasing concern in recent years. Recirculating water beneath dam sites is a drowning hazard, and there were six fatalities statewide in 2007.

Lyle Hammes, environmental engineer for the city of Ames, told the council there are existing safety measures in place at the dam, such as a warning sign upstream and an upstream exit point.

The Skunk River Paddlers propose to place eight boulders, each weighing about one ton, on the concrete apron of the dam. An additional 42 smaller rocks would be placed further downstream. The rock placement would help break up dangerous currents and would create rapids for recreational use.

The Skunk River Paddlers received funding from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for materials and labor for the project. Though the city owns the dam, the authority to grant permission for the project is with the Iowa DNR and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The city will decide whether or not to grant access on the city's park land to place the boulders.

Hammes said the Water and Pollution Control Department had concerns about ongoing maintenance, signage, liability, and damage to park roads and property during the installation process, all of which would need to be addressed before the city could allow the group access to the dam. 

Councilman Ryan Doll asked if it were possible to exclude recreational modifications for the dam, on the grounds that it was contradictory to make a hazard more attractive.

"The second we do this, we may make it safer, but we're also saying, look, here's something fun to play with," Doll said.

Councilman Matthew Goodman asked if the project was a change in the city's philosophy regarding the dam.

City Manager Steve Schainker said the city had never promoted the dam as a recreational feature, but realizes that people do use it in that way. City Attorney Doug Marek advised the council that the city could not prohibit river use, as it was state owned. Marek acknowledged that the project would "help reduce the danger. But you are right, it might also attract more people."

Doll moved to approve the project solely on safety modifications, but failed to get a second.

The council voted to accept the general concept of the project on the condition that they receive a staff report from Water and Pollution Control Department about costs, liability, and installation issues.

In other business:
* The council unanimously approved a proposal from ICS technologies to install WiFi hotspots at four pilot locations around the city: Campustown Court, Brookside Park, Tom Evans Plaza and Hunziker Youth Sports Complex.

* Councilman Matthew Good-man asked staff to study available data to assess environmental concerns with Ada Hayden Heritage Park.

"The goal is to be as apolitical as possible. It should be a data-driven discussion," said Goodman.

The council passed Goodman's motion 6-0.

Laura Millsaps can be reached at 232-2161, Ext. 342, or lmillsaps@amestrib.com.