Lake Menomin rip-rapping

From the Dunn County News, January 9, 1957 we have a brief on Lake Menomin rip-rapping.     It was about 60 years ago as of this post that the new Lake Menomin that we know reached the level we know today.   A large amount of people in Menomonie  likely never knew the old Lake Menomin, and that same amount never realized that Lake Menomin has always had various levels of cyanobacteria blooms and even excessive weeds in some instances.      Memories fade and stories are lost and the details and accurate information is distorted, even twisted by modern day local politicians and city leaders that foolishly repeat mistakes of previous generations "lake improvement" efforts again and again.

For future generations searching for solutions to "cleaning up the lake" that might stumble upon this, one of many markers being left behind for history, the maintenance of the rip-rap should be a thing to question as well as the effect of ground water of this impounded river within the lake banks.    Consider that in the year 2000, the south lake bank had to be repaired as it was sliding into the water.   The very rip-rap seen in the photo below may have failed and is now buried under new material.

Penny Mannel had this amazing photograph on Facebook.    Most people see the crane that has slipped down the bank and that was likely the reason for this photo.  But unknowingly, this image captured one of the best moments in time that is now unseen almost 61 years to the date of this post, the rip-rap that keeps the banks of Lake Menomin from eroding into the lake (river).