City workers in Blair took precautions Thursday morning by letting water out of the lake there in case of a levee breach at the Badger Mining Corp.

Workers removed gates from the dam to lower the Lake Henry in case water started pouring into the city.

As of 8 p.m. Thursday night, sheriff's deputies tell us the gates are back in and the water level is rising.

Original Story:

Friday morning at approximately 12:20 a.m. Badger Mining Corporation (BMC) Taylor Wash Associates on a routine inspection discovered the partial failure of an earthen pond levee on the West portion of the property.

No breach of the levee has occurred, but all precautions are being taken.

The primary concern is the safety of associates and neighbors.

Efforts are underway to alleviate the problem.

The Jackson & Trempealeau County Sheriff & Highway Departments are assisting.

The Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and Jackson & Trempealeau County Emergency Management Teams were notified and are currently on-site.

No injuries have been reported.

The Emergency Management Teams have suggested evacuation of the potential effected areas along County Highway W South of the intersection with Nerby Road & along River Road just South of State Highway 95.

Several residents of the effected area have evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Temporary shelter has been established.

There is currently no immediate threat to the Village of Taylor or City of Blair.

Local government officials have been contacted and implementing plans should the threat level increase.

The potentially affected areas include the Western corner of the Town of Curran & the Northern part of the Town of Springfield in Jackson County and the Southeastern corner of the Town of Pigeon & the Northeastern corner of the Town of Preston in Trempealeau County.

People are asked to avoid the area.