Water, Water, Everywhere (Maybe)

Phantom Lake Dam Could Fail
Associated Press/Lauren Leamanczyk
MUKWONAGO - There are major concerns about the dam at Phantom Lake in Mukwonago. It could give way at any time, threatening everything down stream. “We're maintaining a monitoring plan to watch the integrity of the dam. It could be slightly weakened," said a DNR water engineer.

The dam became obstructed Tuesday morning when bog vegetation blocked it, causing water to pour around until it finally cleared. That created concern about whether the dam was structurally sound.

David Allen videotaped the bog getting lodged under the bridge. “The water was going around the dam because the bog was plugging up the top of it," he told TODAYS TMJ4 reporter Lauren Leamanczyk.

Charmaine and I did the only thing we could: Park as close to the pending disaster and hike in for a look-see. We were not alone. If I had an ice cream truck I could have made a killing.

Allen lives on Lower Phantom Lake. If the dam were to break, it's likely that lake would be emptied. “It’s a concern. That’s a lot of water to come out of this dam," he said.

Upper Phantom Lake feeds into Lower, so there is concern that both could drain. Within 100 feet of the dam is the power substation that feeds the Village of Mukwonago. As I understand it, if the the dam goes, so does our power. That's handy, sort of a disaster alarm clock, because we won't be able to stay and watch it like the TV crews. My guess is they're hoping for some incredible shot like the houses going into Lake Delton (which has aired a bazillion times so far, reminiscent of the 'Big Blue' crane disaster footage overload.)

We're a big deal to the Milwaukee media, as live trucks from Channels 4, 6, and 12 send pictures of the Dam back to the city. Not to be left out, Channel 58 pulled up as we were leaving.

Officials warned residents in Big Bend, the Town of Vernon, Tichigan and Waterford to watch for water problems.But Mukwonago Village Clerk Steve Braatz said that even if the dam fails, water would flow into the Fox River and no homes would be in harm's way.

Lauren told us that several 'locals' who knew 'someone' in Village government said "a break in the dam is going to happen." Our neighbor Dick, who is friends with our other neighbor, Arnie, who is a Village Board member, told us that "Arnie says it'll hold." I'm reminded of the scene from "Jaws" where the local mayor encourages tourists to "Go back into the water, it's safe. Really!"

Tuesday night state troopers were stationed at many area roads and highways. Highway 83 was blocked because if the dam breaks, the water would probably rise over the top of that road. Flood waters may also cover a portion of Interstate 43. By Wednesday morning, the water behind the dam had dropped about an inch, but officials were still on the scene inspecting the dam every 15 minutes.

Shoot, the water's receding! As soon as we're out of the woods, we'll be abandoned by the TV crews, as they search for the next great disaster video.

"When news breaks, we fix it!"