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Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank witnessed the flood damage to Vernon County's infrastructure firsthand on Monday.

Frank stood below Yttri-Primmer Dam, or Bad Axe No.17, and watched crews finish an emergency breach of the structure to prevent a catastrophic failure.

The dam, located about three miles east of Viroqua on Hwy. 56, had become unstable with the most recent flooding on June 8 and when it began leaking in yet another location. The leak was in addition to another that had formed in flooding last August and state and county officials decided to take emergency action.

The action was one of many taken by federal, state and local officials in the wake of the June 7-8 flood that set record Kickapoo River crests in both La Farge and Viola. The river flooded villages from Ontario to Readstown. President George W. Bush declared Vernon County a federal disaster area on Saturday.

At the Yttri-Primmer dam, crews began cutting a 50-foot-wide trench through the east end of the structure in what was termed an "intentional breach" on Wednesday, June 11. It was feared a rainfall of four inches or more would fill the dam to capacity again causing it to fail. Frank had toured parts of Vernon and Crawford counties on Monday and the work on Yttri-Primmer was just being completed as Frank arrived.

"This (flooding) has been unprecedented here in Wisconsin and obviously we have been hit hard throughout the state," said Frank. "We have particularly been hit hard here in Vernon County."

Frank complimented the cooperation between state and local officials that he said prevented the situation from being worse.

"There is clearly a lot of rebuilding that needs to be done," said Frank. "As we look at the dam here behind us it is clear there is some damage to the dam."

The dam, along with three other county structures, had severe enough damage last August to prompt the DNR to issue repair orders for those last month. They include Seas Branch, Runge Hollow and Hidden Valley. Another county structure, Jersey Valley that once included a 58-acre recreational lake, has been drawn down under an order to repair since 2005.

Vernon County suffered damage to 21 of its 22 flood control structures last August and the cost of repairs was estimated at $10 million. County and state officials have just begun to estimate how much new damage has taken place from the June 6-7 flooding.

Assemblyman Lee Nerison (R-Westby) represents Vernon County in Madison and a number of county officials testified before his rural affairs committee in February in an attempt to get state legislators to take notice of the issue.

Frank said Vernon County has the highest concentration of the state's 88 high-hazard dams. Frank said the issue will need a statewide effort to address those aging structures.

Frank said he will be working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), FEMA, the state legislature and county government to find the funding to repair the dams.

"I hope we can get a good assessment and hopefully we don't get anymore rain this week and the recovery can really start to take off," said Frank "It has been amazing to me all week as I travel around to see the damage water can do. It is immensely powerful, but we are here to help rebuild."

Nerison said he was "more than willing to work with governor and the secretary to come with a resolution." Nerison said the dams are a safety issue that must be addressed.

State senator Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse) said he has been impressed with how people have banded to together after the crisis.

When asked if the state could find any money for dam repairs given the tight nature of the state budget and lack of federal money for dams, Frank said the state will have to find a way.

"It is too early to tell how much damage there is, but we do know there are dams that are going to need repair and we are going to have to do what needs to be done," said Frank. "The county is in a spot where they can't do it completely on their own. The state isn't going to be able to do it on its own even though we want to be a strong partner. We are going to need some help from the federal government, whether it is through FEMA or other sources."

County conservationist Kelly Jacobs said the emergency procedure being performed at Yttri-Primmer was paid for by emergency money coming from NRCS and the state.

When asked how the state will handle repairs given that NRCS has only $6 million available nationwide, Frank said he is optimistic there will be more federal money made available.

Nerison said he has met with county officials about the possibility of a half-percent sales tax. Nerison said the county may put a referendum question on the ballot in the next election to see if voters are in favor of a dedicated sales tax for repairs.

"The county is just trying to find ways to come up with money," said Nerison. "They are even talking about bake sales."

Kapanke said once the damage has been assessed, all levels of government will need to find a way to pay for repairs.

"These dams are part of our infrastructure and we need them and it is not a matter of if, it is a matter of how," said Kapanke.

Jacobs said with Yttri-Primmer breached there will be less flood protection, but less chance of an uncontrolled event. Jacobs said rainfall of four inches or more may cause more severe flooding downstream now that the structure will retain only six feet of water.