Farewell, Ballville Dam

FREMONT — Residents said farewell to the Ballville Dam Saturday afternoon. Removal of the dam will begin in early September.The Haunted Hydro, which has ties to the dam, hosted a public event to honor the historic structure. The event continues from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.Construction of the dam began in 1910, however, a flood in 1911 wiped out everything. After restarting construction, the dam was completed in 1913. The structure is 407 feet long and 34 feet high.While owned by the electric company, the dam was used as a hydroelectric plant. The city eventually purchased the dam and used it for a source of water.Many factors were considered in the removal of the dam. For instance, the dam is considered unsafe due to deterioration over the years, according to Rick Zilch, Fremont city councilman-at-large. Repairs would cost millions of dollars. The removal project will be completely funded by the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act using Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funds.Removal of the dam will also improve fish passage through the Sandusky River. Reach photographer Erin McLaughlin at erinmclaughlin@sanduskyregister.com and follow her on Twitter @ErinMcL_photo.Water runs down the Ballville Dam in Fremont on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.Jackson Kiddey, 10, steps from rock to rock in order to make it across the Sandusky River in Fremont on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.Old photos show the construction of the Ballville Dam in Fremont. The dam was completed in 1913.Two men overlook the Ballville Dam in Fremont on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.People fish in the Sandusky River near the Ballville Dam in Fremont on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.People look at the structure of the Ballville Dam in Fremont during a farewell event on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.