Marion Pond drained

MARION - What was a glistening 108-acre pond has been reduced to a trickling stream in Marion. But residents say they'll do whatever it takes to make sure the city's pond is refilled.

"I want to see it come back the way it used to be," Marion Mayor Pat Mielke said.

Just two weeks ago, the Marion Pond was glistening -- ready to play host to summer recreation and fun. But after a DNR-ordered drawdown, the pond is nearly empty for the second time in recent years.

"It's devastating to look out at something like this, we did this three years ago," Dale Braun, Marion's Pond Association President, said "It's sad, it's really sad," Braun added.

The pond was originally drained in 2006 to kill off invasive weeds. Community members have since spent nearly $30,000 dollars to restock the pond with a variety of fish. But after two larges holes were discovered in the adjacent dam last month, another drawdown was ordered. Nearly all the fish have since escaped downstream.

"We thought we were in place and then what happens? This happens. We're back to square one I guess," Braun said.

City officials are still waiting to learn just how badly the dam is damaged. A special city council meeting is planned for Thursday afternoon to decide what repairs will be made.

"In the DNR drawdown order, it says we have to have engineered plans to them by July 1st so we're under a really short window to get this done," Mielke said.

Mielke said early estimates put the repairs near $500,000. So far, city taxpayers would be on the hook for the entire bill.

"I'm frustrated because I can't seem to find any help. I was hoping to find some grant monies but every avenue I've attempted to I can't," Mielke added.

Marion residents said they want to do whatever it takes to bring the pond back to life. The Marion Pond Association is already making plans to raise money for another major fish restocking project.

The DNR has told the city that repairs to the dam have to be complete by September 15.