In a recent development, an illegal dam constructed along the James River in Mason County, Texas is being demolished following reports from KXAN. The dam, which was built in 2023 without permits, was discovered by investigations from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) [071807e0].
The James River dam, located in Mason County, feeds into the Llano River, which is a crucial water source for Lake Travis and Austin's water supply. The restoration plan for the dam, submitted by Neusch Mason, LLC, has been approved by TPWD. The plan requires the removal of 310 feet of the 400-foot wide dam from the river. The demolition work began on April 1 and is expected to be completed by April 30 [071807e0].
In addition to the James River dam, another illegal dam has been discovered along Leon Creek in western Mason County. This dam, like the one on the James River, was built without permits. TPWD and TCEQ are currently investigating the dam on Leon Creek, and the landowner responsible for its construction has not been identified [071807e0].
Meanwhile, in Rapidan, Minnesota, residents are mourning the loss of the Rapidan Dam Store. The store, which was started in 1910 by Jorgen Nelson and later bought by Jim Hruska in 1972, was demolished before it could be claimed by the Blue Earth River. The Hruska family, who has run the store for 50 years, could not move the building due to significant erosion along the riverbank. The family's home was also consumed by the river. The store was known for its old-fashioned charm and had retained its original features. Despite the loss, the Hruska family plans to open a new place in the future [8664acc4].