River bank stabilization begins at dam area with council authorization

By Anna Jauhola
Repair work began last week on the bank below the dam in Hallock.
The Hallock City Council held a special meeting on Thursday, May 16 to formally approve Taggart Contracting to rebuild the eroded southeast bank. Originally, the bank was supposed to include toewood to help keep it from eroding during heavy flows.
Mayor Dave Treumer said the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, through Houston Engineering, bid out this portion of the project and received two bids – one from Taggart and one from Spruce Valley.
“The DNR awarded the bid to Troy Taggart. The bid is for $34,000. It is also at zero cost to the taxpayers of Hallock,” Treumer said.
He told the council he wanted the approval officially on the record before work began.
Problems began with the project in the spring of 2022 when flood waters rushed through the new dam, damaging the emergency spillway, the new golf cart path and creating a big hole in the southeast bank on the bend below the dam.
Taggart Contracting brought in rock last week to the dam area to prepare for its portion of the project.
Councilor Kevin Waller asked why those in charge aren’t also fixing the damage done to the emergency spillway.
Treumer said there is some FEMA money involved, all of which hasn’t arrived yet “because we’re still in the hole from the cleanup” after the 2022 flooding. No one is sure when that repair work may begin.
The council approved Taggart Contracting’s bid of $34,000 and to let work begin. The city will pay Taggart Contracting first, submit paperwork to the DNR and then the DNR will reimburse the city for the cost.