Completed water control structure at Horicon NWR. - FWS photo

Staab Construction Corporation, Marshfield, Wisconsin, was awarded the contract for $868,000 for replacing the radial gate, which is the main water control structure that releases water from the Horicon Refuge into the State Wildlife Area. 

The existing structure was built in the early 1950s and was in need of major repair. 

The new structure was located about 500 feet east of the original one so that it was in direct line with the Main Ditch.  The new structure included a central bay with 16-foot stop logs and a screw gate bay on each side, designed specifically for releasing phosphorus-rich water from the bottom of the pool. 

Additionally, each screw gate has a five-foot stop log bay in front and behind it (four total) so that the central chamber of the water control structure, including the screw gate bays can be drained and worked on if needed.  An electric carp barrier was also installed on the south side of the structure.

Staab Contruction was also the contractor for replacement of five smaller water control structures on the Refuge:  Redhead, Teal, Luehring, I-8, and I-9 and the placement of a new water control structure in I-3/I-4.  This project cost $377,900.