Majority believes Cape’s Dam should be preserved
The Record’s online poll from Oct. 4-15 asked readers whether they think Cape’s Dam should be preserved.
The City of San Marcos will be presented with a conceptual proposal Oct. 15 during their work session regarding the restoration of Cape’s Dam. The Hays County Commissioners Court approved an agreement for a rendering showing what Cape’s Dam, the mill race and Stokes Park could look like in the future if the dam is restored.
The Historical Commission spent $5,187.50 of their operating budget on the creation of a conceptual master plan for the Cape’s Dam preservation project. The proposal includes illustrations depicting historical and ecological significance, as well as the economic and recreational importance of the dam and the mill race it creates.
The fate of Cape’s Dam has been the subject of a years-long controversy. On one side are those who want to see the dam removed, based on information in a report from Thom Hardy, Ph.D., from the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment and on the dam’s questionable safety after recent floods. On the other side are those who believe the dam should be restored because of its historical significance and the use of the mill race by kayakers and others who seek a gentle stretch of water for recreation.
The poll asking, “Do you think Cape’s Dam should be preserved?” received a total of 3,339 votes, with the majority of votes — 73 percent or 2453 votes — going to option “Yes, it is historically significant and is used frequently for recreation.” Twenty-seven percent of voters chose, “No, the dam is a safety hazard and the river could go back to it’s natural flow.”
A majority of poll voters think Cape’s Dam should be preserved because of its historical significance and recreational uses. Every week, the Record gives its readers the opportunity to voice their opinions on different topics. This poll does not, and does not purport to accurately depict public opinion. It is only intended to inspire thought-provoking discussion within the community.
SMDR’s new poll is available online now and asks for readers’ opinions on whether they think the city’s cite and release ordinance should leave room for police discretion. It can be voted on now.
