The City of Alden is working in partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to install a “Rock Rapids” at a river dam site in the community.

At this week’s Alden City Council meeting, council member Bob Hoverstein noted that he had participated in a recent meeting with state DNR officials.

During the DNR meeting, it was announced that the Alden project will be allowed to move forward, with work likely happening this fall.

In making the decision, it was noted that the Rock Rapids would serve as a rock ramp heading downstream with recirculating hydraulics to be eliminated.  It was further noted that multiple drowning have occurred near the low head dam location in years’ past, and the city would like to alleviate such issues in the future.

A long-anticipated bridge replacement project is also slated to take place later this year in downtown Alden.

The Alden City Council and the Hardin County Board of Supervisors have both agreed to work together in completing  the bridge replacement project.

Before work can begin on the Rock Rapids installation, the city is required to obtain a series of permits through the Iowa DNR and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  Most of the initial expense will be paid through private conations and/or grants.