Vigo County, Indiana – The Vigo County Commissioners have set a public information meeting concerning the future of the Markle Mill Dam. Originally the meeting was to be held in the Vigo County Council Chambers but due to an anticipated large crowd the meeting has been moved to Otter Creek Middle School at 6pm Wednesday February 15th. This will be an informational meeting and the public will not be allowed to comment. Information will be provided concerning the removal of the dam. The dam is scheduled to be removed from Otter Creek late this summer. The cost of the dam removal will be $219,000 which would be mostly covered by federal and state funds. A study of the dam was conducted by Jerry Sweeten of Ecosystems Connections Institute of Denver, Indiana. Sweeten says, “Antiquated dams like the Markle Mill Dam are ecologically disruptive, are major fish passage barriers, and negatively affect mussel populations.” The Commissioners are also concerned for public safety. Signage warning the public to stay off the dam are posted but people have been injured or killed while disobeying the posted warnings. In August 2021, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources notified the county it must have insurance with a general aggregate limit of not less than $1 million to cover claims from injuries and death that a low head dam may cause.