FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — Work is expected to begin next month to remove two dams spanning the Des Moines River in Fort Dodge after officials approved contracts worth more than $1.4 million. The Messenger reports the City Council announced Monday that it hired Minnesota-based construction company Rachel Contracting Inc. to remove the Hydroelectric Dam and a second structure often referred to as the little dam.

Nicole Church is an environmental specialist with Snyder & Associates, an engineering, planning and design firm. She says the dams need to be removed for safety and environmental reasons. The project is moving forward after the city resolved concerns brought up last month by the State Historic Preservation Office. City Engineer Tony Trotter says the city has agreed to preserve the framework of one gate of the Hydroelectric Dam.