Sheboygan Marsh Dam Replacement
2026 Engineering Excellence State Finalist
Entering Firm: Ayres
Client: Ducks Unlimited
The Sheboygan Marsh Dam replacement reflects how collaboration and thoughtful engineering can support ecological health and community recreation. The 14,000-acre marsh is valued for its rich habitat and year-round public use, prompting Sheboygan County and Ducks Unlimited to partner with Ayres to design a complete dam replacement. The goal was to increase spillway capacity for safer flood passage, enable periodic drawdowns to sustain marsh ecology, and reduce long-term maintenance for the County.
Engineers designed a modern dam that enhances natural resources in Sheboygan Marsh.
Ayres maintained project momentum by guiding the County through direct procurement of slide and crest gates, addressing fabrication lead times that could have delayed construction. Sustainability guided the project, including reuse of existing concrete abutments and operable flood gates that allow precise water level management. The team designed a new dam that can handle increased water flow and alleviates blockage from uprooted cattails and other organic matter.
The marsh attracts thousands of visitors annually for birdwatching, paddling, fishing, and hunting, and the upgraded dam strengthens this recreational draw. It also eliminates the costly annual removal of floating cattail mats, offering significant operational savings.
Completed under budget in 2024, the project delivers a durable, environmentally responsible asset that benefits both wildlife and the community. The new dam demonstrates how modern dam design can enhance natural resources rather than compromise them.