Roddis Line – Turtle-Flambeau Dam
Iron County Heritage Area
In 1925, the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company began construction on a dam to create a water reservoir for hydroelectric power, where the Turtle, Manitowish, and Flambeau rivers join.
The Roddis company owned land in the area, which would be flooded when the reservoir was filled. In 1923, Roddis laid a second main railroad line running east and placed Camp 8 as headquarters. Nelson camps from 1925 to 1927 were placed to harvest timber in and close to the new reservoir.
In 1925, Roddis also contracted with the improvement company to move fill to the dam site. The rail line to Camp 8 was extended another two miles east. Camp 8 was the headquarters camp for this operation. The dam was completed in 1926, and timber operations in the area were closed in 1927 when the reservoir was filled and timber removed.
Marker is on Turtle Flambeau Dam Road ½ mile east of County Route FF, on the left when traveling east.
Courtesy hmdb.org
