News: Dells Dam Bridge Washed Out (1916)

Contact: Ann Stevens
Email: ann@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

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----Source: Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 4/6/1916

Dells Dam Bridge Washed Out (30 MAR 1916)

Black River went on a rampage last week and caused a great amount of damage in the county. The ice went out and jammed against the bridges and as a result many went out. The railroad bridge at Withee was carried out and the big iron bridge at Dells Dam was swept down the river and now lies near the Big Springs. Thursday the ice jammed against the Dells Dam bridge and formed in huge piles high above the bridge. In the afternoon the bridge gave way and was carried down the river. A great amount of damage was also done in the vicinity of the cottages of Dells Dam for the ice jammed again in front of the cottages and the water backed up and many of them had two feet of water on the floors. The cottages all stand nearly thirty feet above the river and the ice was jammed nearly twenty feet higher than that. Some of the gentlemen who went down to look after the cottages had a close call from possible death for they were close to the river when the iron bridge went out and the jam broke, for within a few moments after they had run for high ground, the entire hill was under water. Just what the extent of the damage all along the river was is not yet determined, but the town of Levis will be the heavy loser through the loss of the big bridge.