Save the Dam at Silver Lake

10/06/2026

Whelp, as predicted, the city council voted 6-1 to proceed with the project. Expect movement on-site next week.

Vote results were 6-1 with Andy Fredricks opposing.

10/03/2026

Monday (10/5/26) is our last chance to stop this completely unnecessary boondoggle.

Sign up is at 5:30pm, for the 6:00pm public comment period. You will get 2 minutes to speak. Let your voice be hesrd.

The Rochester City Council is set to vote on awarding a contract for the Silver Lake Dam project on Monday.

Work on the massive modification project, which also includes changes to the Silver Lake shore line, could start as early as mid-October.

See the bid and project details below.

09/11/2026

Thank you to KROC for covering this.

Bids for a project to modify Rochester’s Silver Lake Dam and to make other changes to the lake have come in millions of dollars over budget.

Estimates presented to the Rochester City Council last year indicated the project came with a $15.1 million price tag.

The plans call for replacing the Silver Lake Dam with a series of cascading pools, dredging the lake, modifying the shore line along part of West Silver Lake Dr., installing a pedestrian/biking bridge east of North Broadway and adding a biking/walking path on the north shore of the lake.

See the bid numbers and the city's response below.

09/10/2026

Next up, bid approval.

By the looks of it, this is a tad over budget.

09/10/2026

City leaders said the city did hold a required public meeting with a comment period, allowing community members to speak on the item at the July meeting despite comment rules.

09/10/2026

Well, things didn't go our way, as the wolf was watching the hen house.

Next up, bid approval.

At Wednesday's Rochester City Council meeting, the council denied an appeal of the Silver Lake Dam project. ⬇️Click the link in the comments to read more

09/07/2026

We hope to see you at the Rotunda outside City Hall Chambers at 5:30 this Wedneaday, Sept 9th!

https://www.kttc.com/2026/09/07/rochester-city-council-hear-appeal-over-silver-lake-dam-changes/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAUMEr1jbGNrBQwSg3Bkb2YFZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEeIAbi2-jOoPZRuiGTfXpSBdONKss7TxRVMKcjGkIL2bYcxS63LLXAWY5z-os_aem_Iv5YWXS3GaVZtuoQ7BxbBA

‘Friends of Silver Lake’ is appealing the HPC’s July approval of a multi-million dollar dam modification project at the Silver Lake Dam.

09/06/2026

Here is the original press release regarding next Wednesdays HPC Appeal:

Friends of Silver Lake Appeal Decision Approving Dam Removal, Calling for Public Voice in Protecting Historic Landmark

ROCHESTER, Minn. —The Friends of Silver Lake group has formally appealed the Rochester Historic Preservation Commission's July 28 decision approving the removal of the Silver Lake Dam and major alterations to historic Silver Lake Park. This Appeal is a significant step in the effort to preserve one of Rochester's most treasured historic Parks..

According to the Friends appeal, the Historic Preservation Commission failed to conduct the public meeting required under the City of Rochester's Uniform Development Code. The Friends group argued that this procedural failure prevented citizens from addressing Preservation Commissioners directly, and presenting information that challenged or supplemented the staff report before the decision was made.

Representing many Rochester residents committed to protecting the historic character of Silver Lake Park, the Friends of Silver Lake contend that the approved project would permanently alter Silver Lake Park, a local designated Landmark that has long been valued for its historical significance and value to the community..

The Friends group also maintains that inaccurate or misleading information has been presented over the past eight years by City staff to justify the removal of historic character-defining features within Silver Lake Park. Providing accurate information to citizens is a role of City government, and the Friends cite numerous examples of the City failing to do that.

The Friends believe public involvement is essential to ensuring that significant decisions affecting Rochester citizens are made openly, transparently, and with full community participation. This appeal for a Hearing is about ensuring that Rochester residents have a meaningful opportunity to be heard before irreversible changes are made to one of our community's treasures, Silver Lake Park.

The appeal now requires the Rochester City Council to hold a Public Hearing which will be held at the Wednesday, 6 PM September 9th City Council meeting, and will provide residents with an opportunity to express their views on the proposed changes before any further action is taken. The $510 Appeal fee to be able to speak to our elected representatives was paid by Friends Leadership Team members.

Interested residents are urged to contact their City Council representative, attend the Public Hearing, and voice their concerns during the Hearing. A Friends Rally will be held in the Chamber Rotunda at 5:30 before the Council Meeting.

Greg Munson and Dave Morrill - Friends Leadership Team members

[email protected]

08/27/2026

The fight is not over. More information on how to help will be shared in the next few days.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DEtjB1kG7/

07/30/2026

Very nice of KIMT to reach out regarding this article.

Please note a few important points:

The Army Corps of Engineers has not approved this project.

The pedestrian bridge in the original proposal and shown in all the promotional material is not included in the current project likely due to budget overruns. That pedestrian bridge would be installed 'at a later date'.

The North Shore Bike Path can be added without the removal of the current dam.

A proposed overhaul of Rochester's Silver Lake Dam has sparked debate between city officials and residents. While the city says the project would improve recreation, environmental restoration and long-term maintenance,