BARABOO, Wis. (WKOW) - A public hearing was held Thursday concerning the future of a dam near Baraboo. The state Department of Natural Resources tentatively approved a plan from the owners of the dam to remove the structure, draining nearby Seeley Lake in the process.

Many community members showed up in the middle of the workday to voice their opposition to the plan, citing Seeley Lake's significance to the area. Matthew Schmidtke, a man who owns land beside the lake, said he sees firsthand the importance of the lake to the community.

"People who fish it, kayak it, canoe it, even the duck hunters who hunt it; they love it," Schmidtke said.

The dam has been in place since 1955 and is showing signs of degradation. Department of Natural Resources water engineer Jon Wagner said the dam's co

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