Mercer in Iron County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Flambeau Trail – Turtle Flambeau Flowage Dam
Iron County Heritage Area
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, August 14, 2012
1. Flambeau Trail – Turtle Flambeau Flowage Dam Marker
Inscription.
Flambeau Trail – Turtle Flambeau Flowage Dam. Iron County Heritage Area. The Turtle Flambeau Flowage was born in 1926, when the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company built a dam on the Flambeau River, downstream from its confluence with the Turtle River improving its usefulness for power-generating and papermaking downstream. After the dam’s construction, the water rose gradually for several years, until settling into roughly its current footprint in the early 1930s. Most of the land surrounding the Flowage was owned by the Improvement Company until 1991, when it was purchased by the State of Wisconsin. Until 1931, there were no roads between Mercer and this side of the Flowage making business nearly impossible for the resorts. Those that had been on lakes prior to the creation of the flowage were drowned out of existence., Despite these hardships, local people continued to live and work in this area. Many worked for the Roddis Logging Company, which cut hardwood in the area north and west of the Flowage. They used an extensive Railroad system developed to transport timber out of the forest until 1938., Many residents also gained experience fishing in the Flowage, which boasted a spawning ground near the dam. Some would use their experience to work as guides and resort proprietors, creating new business opportunities.
The Turtle Flambeau Flowage was born in 1926, when the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company built a dam on the Flambeau River, downstream from its confluence with the Turtle River improving its usefulness for power-generating and papermaking downstream. After the dam’s construction, the water rose gradually for several years, until settling into roughly its current footprint in the early 1930s. Most of the land surrounding the Flowage was owned by the Improvement Company until 1991, when it was purchased by the State of Wisconsin. Until 1931, there were no roads between Mercer and this side of the Flowage making business nearly impossible for the resorts. Those that had been on lakes prior to the creation of the flowage were drowned out of existence.
Despite these hardships, local people continued to live and work in this area. Many worked for the Roddis Logging Company, which cut hardwood in the area north and west of the Flowage. They used an extensive Railroad system developed to transport timber out of the forest until 1938.
Many residents also gained experience fishing in the Flowage, which boasted a spawning ground near the dam. Some would use their experience to work as guides and resort proprietors, creating new business opportunities.
Erected by Wisconsin
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Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.
Location. 46° 4.408′ N, 90° 14.332′ W. Marker is in Mercer, Wisconsin, in Iron County. Marker can be reached from Turtle Flambeau Dam Road, half a mile east of County Route FF, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in the Turtle Flambeau Dam Road Boat Ramp and Picnic Area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Butternut WI 54514, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Flambeau Trail – Turtle Flambeau Flowage Dam Marker
Close up of map inset
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, August 14, 2012
3. Flambeau Trail – Turtle Flambeau Flowage Dam Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 592 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on September 14, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.