By Northwest Region December 21, 2015 Contact(s): Jason Fleener, DNR wetland habitat specialist, 608-266-7408 HAYWARD, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will host a public meeting Jan. 13 to share the current status of the flowage and dam at the Totogatic State Wildlife Area near Wozny Road. As a result of dam safety concerns, the flowage has been drawn down approximately two feet to alleviate pressure on the dam. Based on the dam's current condition, it must be removed and reconstructed or abandoned. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is currently in the planning process of re-routing Wozny Road, which travels over the dam. A new route to the north would create a new bridge downstream. The meeting will be held Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. at the Hayward High School auditorium, 10320 N. Greenwood Ln., Hayward, Wis. Background information regarding the Totogatic State Wildlife Area and its flowage can be found on the DNR website. Additional public meetings and opportunities in 2016 will gather additional public input. The flowage on Totogatic State Wildlife Area is an impoundment of the Totogatic River, which is directly downstream of the Nelson Lake dam and overlaps Sawyer and Washburn counties. Prior to drawdown, the impoundment was held at a water level that contained approximately 200 acres of open water. The wildlife property provides wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities, including hunting, fishing, and trapping. The property lies between other state-managed properties that adjoin the Totogatic River, including the Totogatic Lake Wildlife Area upstream, and Totogatic Wild River properties downstream. The department will share additional information at the public meeting regarding the management history of the flowage, current status of the dam, and potential resource impacts under different alternatives. Those interested in receiving email updates regarding Totogatic State Wildlife Area can sign up to receive meeting reminders and additional information via email. Visit dnr.wi.gov and click on the email icon near the bottom of the page for "subscribe for updates for DNR topics," then follow the prompts and select the list titled "Totogatic State Wildlife Area." For more information, search keywords "Totogatic State Wildlife Area." Last Revised: Monday, December 21, 2015