Grass lake resident trying to save home from flooding
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Ben Applebeck has been battling water from Grass Lake that has surrounded his garage and in encroaching on his home since 2008.
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Ben Applebeck stands on a deck behind his family's home on Grass Lake in Milton. The rising water of the lake is threatening their house and garage.
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Mitchell Applebeck, 9, rides his scooter in the driveway past sandbags protecting the family garage from the floodwaters of Grass Lake. ""He doesn't have much room to play anymore," said his father Ben.
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A license plate on a Applebeck family SUV boasts the name of the lake they live on in Milton.
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Grass Lake - Milton Township
TOWN OF MILTON — July rain might be comforting to some. For Grass Lake resident Ben Applebeck, it’s a nightmare.
Applebeck and his wife, DiAnne, built their 3,800-square-foot home on the southwest side of Grass Lake north of Milton seven years ago. They’d planned to retire there.
But that was before area floods in 2008. Since then, water levels at Grass Lake have fluctuated wildly. Now, whenever it rains, Applebeck says, waters from the lake shoot into low spots in his yard, coming within a few feet of his two-story house, and swamping his detached garage.
Applebeck runs a one-horsepower pump constantly, funneling water back to the lake. It costs him $200 a month. He’s laid scores of sandbags around his garage to keep water from pouring in and damaging an expensive wood stove used to heat his home.
Nothing works.
“Here we go again,” Applebeck said Thursday, inspecting a 2-foot-high sandbag wall he and his sons Benjamin and Mitchell had built around his garage.
Heavy rains Thursday morning brought Grass Lake up, and the waters had toppled the sandbags. The garage was wet, again.
“There goes nine hours of effort,” Applebeck said. “It’s too much work, and I don’t have enough ambition no more.”
Thursday was the latest in an uphill battle for the Applebecks.
Ben, who is unemployed, lost his job at General Motors when the Janesville plant closed in 2008. DiAnne, also a GM employee, took a relocation option, and now works at a GM plant in Fort Wayne, Ind.
She rents an apartment there for $700 a month, and visits home on her time off.
Applebeck says the family has scrimped to keep their home at 9304 N. Clear Lake Road, refinancing their mortgage and living as frugally as they can with a split household and one income.
“We don’t have nothing special,” Applebeck said. “Our house is special, though. It’s our life savings. It’s what we worked for.”
But floods at Grass Lake are slowly drowning the family’s finances.
Despite Ben’s employment status, the couple doesn’t qualify financially for federal flood aid, and because the condition at Grass Lake is considered groundwater flooding, Applebeck’s homeowner’s insurance won’t cover any damages.
The flooding has left mold problems and pavement heaving in Applebeck’s garage and has saturated the ground to the point that his wells and septic systems are threatened, Applebeck said. He fears the tanks will pop out of the ground.
“If it does that or water gets in the wells, it’s finished,” he said.
Grass Lake shares flood conditions similar to Clear Lake, its neighbor to the south. Clear Lake has seen high water since floods in 2008 raised a nearby water table.
Officials are unsure why Clear Lake won’t recede, but it’s left several lakeshore homes underwater and threatens to submerge scores of others.
Worried his property could face the same fate, Applebeck has plans to build a 450-foot berm between his house and the shoreline of Grass Lake to block lake waters from entering his yard.
Applebeck has spoken with DNR officials, who haven’t approved work at the property, but have advised him on possible materials for either a berm or a portable dam and have referred him to consultants, he said.
Two problems: Applebeck doesn’t have permits the county requires for the project, and he’s not sure how he’ll pay for it.
Plus, he claims, Rock County officials have been slow to assist him.
Applebeck said in August 2009 he called Rock County Zoning Administrator Colin Byrnes to learn how to get a permit for a berm. Applebeck said Byrnes sent him an aerial photo of his property, telling him to detail his plans.
Applebeck said he sent the county plans in September 2009. For months, he claims, he heard no response.
“The people I called to try to find the right guy would never give me the right guy,” he said. “They’d just beat around the bush.”
Applebeck said he finally heard from the county in mid-June 2010 and was told then that he’d have to pay $550 for a shoreline work permit application, which would have to be approved by the county’s Planning and Development Committee.
This week, Byrnes told the Gazette he’d called Applebeck in the fall, shortly after he’d received his plans. He said at the time he explained to Applebeck the permit application process for shoreline work.
“He needs to go through the process, however burdensome he feels that to be,” Byrnes said.
Applebeck said money’s so tight, now, that he can’t justify spending hundreds on a permit application that county officials might not approve.
“At this point, I need that money for sandbags,” he said. “It sounds bad, don’t it? I’m wanting to save my money for sand.”
Meanwhile, Applebeck wonders if a water barrier on his property would even work. He said he’s waiting on a visit from a hydrogeologist from the Wisconsin Geological Survey to shed light on the cause of the flooding at Grass Lake.
“Mother Nature’s going to do what she’ll do. I’m not looking for total solution,” he said.
“I just hope to find some light at the end of the tunnel.”
Jul 26, 2010 at 5:43 p.m.
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Very nice Truthzeeker.
Jul 26, 2010 at 5:27 p.m.
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But- miltonalum-the point is, is that likely to happen (how many cash buyers are likely to be interested in a property with these present problems?), or can one who has to get financing from an outside source (most of us, I assume) likely to get, or even seek, it under the circumstances?
Jul 26, 2010 at 4:26 p.m.
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"quote" Oh and by the way nobody can buy this house in the condition the property is in "quote".
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I could walk up to this man and write him a check with an offer he could not refuse if i so chose to and as long as he says yes there is no reason i cant buy this house tomorrow. You should get your facts straight sir, show me anything anywhere that prevents me from buying this house other than the owners consent.
Jul 25, 2010 at 11:47 p.m.
Jul 25, 2010 at 11:20 p.m.
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It is always interesting to read comments driven by emotions. Those persons who have chosen to attack or ridicule Mr. Applebeck's dilemma are not helping to solve a real problem. No one in their right mind would purposely build on a flood plain....I believe it is against the law. Secondly, the changes in weather patterns, driven by global warming, are now starting to show up across the World. These changes have been talked about for years although many people scoffed at those predictions. They are now happening.
The great divisions taking place in our society are quite evident in many of the letters written. Sarcasm, derision, groundless accusations, etc. are evidence of angry people who are simply lashing out at the unfortunate Mr. Applebeck. It is unfortunate they could not have put there energy to use in helping Mr. Applebeck. He simply is asking for some sort of relief. For that matter, he is not the only person on Grass Lake or Clear Lake suffering from this quirk in nature.
In a nation as rich as ours, it seems incongruous that an individual can't get help. I guess we need thousands of people asking for help before any will arrive. How sad.
Jul 25, 2010 at 10:03 a.m.
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The point is don't build on low ground.
Jul 25, 2010 at 1:26 a.m.
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If this was one of the "naysayers" homes im sure they would feel alittle fedup and wishing for a break in any shape or form. Regardless of your income water is the most powerful element in the world and is unpredictable.
If it was me i would take the easy street in this situation(which normally im against). Leave the house, go bankrupt and let the water have it. Move to indiana and live high off the GM hog. If it happens now it will happen again, it would be even worse to see an 80 year old couple with a flooded home, or worse.
Some dreams are just bad dreams in disguise. Either way i feel bad for them. Best of luck !!!
Jul 25, 2010 at 12:27 a.m.
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Miltonalum... you obviously are making assumption from the article written, however slanted it was. Ben wasn't complaining about the cost of sandbags, he was just answering a question as to how much it costs. As for getting a job he has applied to many places over the past several months, not a lot of people hiring in this area. These people are not looking for a handout, they just would like some help in solving their water problem. He has gone round and round with the county and FEMA about this, to find out someone didn't do their job correctly at the county recently. Now this person is being questioned as to why he didn't give them the correct information last fall. They are not broke by any means, it is just an added extra strain on their finances. Pumping water to their front yard is the only place to put the water at the moment. Oh and by the way nobody can buy this house in the condition the property is in, banks will not give a loan to anyone with flooded property. You should get your facts strait before printing what is only your thoughts.
Jul 24, 2010 at 5:52 p.m.
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Anyone can buy this house, the building inspector, DNR, Banks, Health Departments have nothing to do with selling the house, its not condemned. Its great they love their "dream house" just dont sob about your 3800 square foot house costing $200 a month to pump out, buy another pump and pump twice as much is you have to. Dont complain that you lost your job, go apply at home depot or mcdonalds if you have to. It hasnt reached 100year flood marks in 40 years, guess what thats why they call them 100 year flood markers, you wanted to live by a lake, suck it up or sell.....
Jul 24, 2010 at 4:01 p.m.
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Selling is probably not an option.
Jul 24, 2010 at 3:59 p.m.
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Who would buy a house in the lake? Who would let them buy it? Certainly not the bank. Certainly not the building inspector. Certainly not the health department. Probably not the DNR.
Jul 24, 2010 at 3:53 p.m.
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For some of you who are only guessing and making wild accusations, you don't know everything that's been going on for the last 3 years with this property. First of all they didn't build on a marsh or swamp, they built on a lake that actually has dried up and was planted with crops at least once in the last 80 years. In the past 40 years the lake has not gone any where near the 100 year water mark, which is the tree line and FYI they are not in a floodplain. The second year after they built the house the lake almost dried up to 6'- 1 ft. deep. That was pretty common for this lake. They were also told they could put in a 4 ft. basement, but didn't choose this option. They didn't want to deal with wet basement issues. I know Ben and DiAnne pretty well we've been friends for the past 17 years and this was their dream that they put a lot of hard work into. They don't want to lose their house to the lake. The extreme snowfall and heavy spring rains the past 3 years have caused problems for many people who never had water issues including Clear Lake residents. No one could have predicted this would ever happen. They are just trying to find some kind of solution to get rid of this water. The story has taken on a turn of economic times and thats not what the issue is, it's the WATER.
Jul 24, 2010 at 1:07 p.m.
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They chose the location, they built this home. I dont feel terrible that they built this house on a swamp and now have water problems, so the lake was low when they built, its an associated risk. It sucks no doubt and this economy sucks but jobs and options are out there, the house is not even up for sale so list it. It might not be a glory job, go apply at kwik trip or home depot, my 16 year old neighbor just got a job at home depot for $10 an hour, you do what ya gotta do. Dont whine about your near 4000 square foot home getting flooded and paying $200 a month to pump it out, dream home or not be realistic, sell it, take a loss if you have to, get out from underneath it and start fresh with what you can afford...
Jul 24, 2010 at 12:41 p.m.
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When you build a house on a marsh what do you think will happen? When building this house Ben and Dianne knew there was a down side and that this could happen they were told they couldn't put a basement in because this is marsh area. Dianne took gm transfer while Ben decided to take buyout so you should have enough time on your hands to sand bagged. You may think Im rude but truth hurts, Ben always has something to whine about yet he doesn't work!
Jul 24, 2010 at 12:02 p.m.
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When built, the home was more than 200 yards away from the lake. No one ever thought it would rise so far. I do feel for this family, it is a strain on everything in their lives. As far as the smart a** comment miltonalum made about the size of the home- what on earth does that have to do with this situation? Get a clue....!!!
Jul 24, 2010 at 12:01 p.m.
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miltonalum and nice: I bet you this guy never thought of that-I'm sure many would jump at the chance to buy this home under the circumstances!
Or...maybe he did and it occurred to him that the house he bought only 7 years ago when the family had 2 good incomes and only one household to support could never be sold (in these economic times, and after refinancing) for what he still owed, especially now that it is threatened by flooding.
I'm no economic expert, but it seems to me that selling a house at a loss (so probably still having to pay off some), and moving would kind of be like having to pay for 3 households instead of "only" 2.
I think the story is about what he's going through unexpectedly to try to save his property, not because of his financial position but because of his physical position near encroaching waters. Obviously, dramatic and unexpected changes in the family's income is having an impact on this problem solving, but again I point out my second sentence.
Jul 24, 2010 at 12:01 p.m.
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It would seem the house was in his means when he had a job and no flood waters to contend with--I don't see fault in working for his dream house.
Jul 24, 2010 at 11:04 a.m.
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miltonalum- you read my mind!
Jul 24, 2010 at 10:49 a.m.
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My thoughts and prayers go to all who have issues with flooding. Everyone should have compassion for flood victims!
Jul 24, 2010 at 9:46 a.m.
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How sad! My heart goes out to this family. Hopefully this story will bring in some ideas on how to solve this problem.
Jul 24, 2010 at 8:42 a.m.
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Well it certainly sucks that the flood waters have come and that they have to pump constantly and scrimp and refinance and live frugaly. Perhaps they should get rid of the 3800 square foot home and live within their means.....
Jul 23, 2010 at 5:14 p.m.
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How sad. I know Ben and have been in his beautiful home. He has put so much work into this house it's unbelievable. I hope everything works out for him.
Jul 23, 2010 at 4:40 p.m.
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Location, location, location.
Jul 23, 2010 at 4:26 p.m.
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I am not familiar with the area that you live, but I do know what I would do if I was in your situation. First of all, it does appear that you have a nice lake front home and the problem is predicting what the lake is going to do. Nobody can say when the water will recede. Therefore I would recommend that you consider moving the house. You have a nice looking home, but it's not a huge monster like many of the older ones that I've seen moved. Traditionally the cost is about 12 - 16 dollars per square foot to move a house. There are many other variables that also factor into a move and this could be quite expensive. I would hope that land might be available close by.
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