BURLINGTON — “It’s like it’s not there.”
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At upper right, a dam across the Fox River in Waukesha becomes submerged as it maintains the impoundment known as Saratoga Lake while still allowing floodwater to head downstream; a similar dam could be implemented at Echo Lake in Burlington.
The Rock River at Indianford is shown here.
The concrete dam at Echo Lake in Burlington no longer meets state standards and must either be rebuilt or removed — a choice that Burlington City Council members will make.
Peter Riggs, director of public works for the City of Burlington, shown explaining the Echo Lake issue at a January public meeting, also fielded questions from Mayor Jeannie Hefty during a referendum campaign.
Washes and canyons have been flowing strongly around Tucson after seeing the wettest monsoon season on record through July 25, according to the National Weather Service. Video courtesy Coronado National Forest.
Photos: From industry to recreation, Burlington's beloved Echo Lake through the years
Early 1900s photo shows water running over the Echo Lake dam
Water is rushing over the dam at Echo Lake in Burlington in this photo looking north in the early 1900s.
Man standing on dam at Echo Lake in Burlington in 1900
A man on the left appears to be standing on the dam at Echo Lake in Burlington, in an image from 1900 looking northwest across the manmade lake, which today requires millions of dollars in work to maintain it.
Locomotive roars past the Echo Lake dam in Burlington circa 1890
A locomotive in 1890 belches smoke into the air as it passes through Burlington and past the Echo Lake dam on the right, with water crashing into the White River to the left.
Men fishing along the dam on Echo Lake in the year 1890
Two men are seen fishing on the left along the White River, in an image dated 1890 by the Burlington Historical Society, with a dam in the background holding back the water of Echo Lake in Burlington.
Smokestack industry on display across White River toward Echo Lake dam
Smokestacks are visible with the dam also in the background in this 1930s-era photo of the White River looking southwest toward Echo Lake.
Men wearing bowler hats gather in the year 1900 at the dam of Echo Lake
Echo Lake, shown in a photo dated 1900, has been part of Burlington for decades, but voters are being asked whether they want to keep the lake or replace it with a restored White River.
Low-water conditions on Echo Lake in 1904
In an image dated 1904, the Burlington Historical Society says this photo shows low-water conditions on Echo Lake, with the dam shown on the left and a man apparently standing on the far right.
Ice skaters head out onto a frozen Echo Lake in Burlington in 1965
Ice skaters head out onto a frozen Echo Lake in Burlington in a photo from 1965, showing that the 70-acre lake was a popular spot for recreation in summer and winter alike.
Pitcher delivers the ball in game of 'iceball' on frozen Echo Lake in Burlington
A pitcher on the right gets ready to pitch a ball to a hitter on the left in a 1975 photo showing a game of "iceball" on a frozen Echo Lake in Burlington.
Boat races with spectators on Burlington's Echo Lake
In an undated photo likely from the back half of the 20th century, people gather at Echo Lake in Burlington to watch boat races, with more spectators visible in the distance on the opposite shoreline.
Man runs across frozen Echo Lake during a winter game of 'iceball'
In an image facing west on Echo Lake in Burlington, a man runs across the frozen lake, center, during a 1975 game of baseball called "iceball" in records of the Burlington Historical Society.
Spectators watch boat races on Echo Lake in the year 2003
Spectators watch boat races on Echo Lake in Burlington in 2003, a summer attraction that has since stopped on the lake troubled by pollution and sediment.
Man fishes on the White River near the dam at Echo Lake in Burlington in 2021
With the 300-foot-long Echo Lake dam visible in the background, Adrien Erickson of Racine casts his line July 8, 2021, while fishing in the White River in Burlington.
In this Series
Collection: Burlington charts a path toward tough decisions on its beloved Echo Lake
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Updated
Racine County's Echo Lake dilemma: Spend millions to maintain dam, or remove it and watch lake disappear?
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Updated
Burlington lake a lost cause? Not just yet. City has one more idea to maybe save Echo Lake
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Updated
Echo Lake was created more than 170 years ago in Burlington. It has a family history that's still alive today
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