Two dams on the Kinnickinnic River, which provide hydroelectric power to River Falls, Wis., will need to be relicensed in the coming years, but there is a question of whether they should be there at all.

A new group advocating for the removal of the dams has recently formed in response to the pending relicensing. The group — Friends of the Kinni — is taking the position that the city would benefit from a free-flowing river, including revitalization of the city’s downtown.

“If we eliminate those lakes and let the river run freely, by the time the river has had a chance to adapt to its natural stream bed, we’re going to see some beautiful falls,” said Keith Rodli, a Friends of the Kinni member who called the river a “rare gem.” “In terms of a beautification project, that would really help the downtown area.”

The city has begun the five-year-long effort to obtain federal relicensing of the dams, which produce just under 2 percent of the city’s total electrical load, or enough electricity to power about 180 homes. On Monday, the city will hold a public meeting on the matter.

River Falls utilities director Kevin Westhuis said that the relicensing is being sought solely because it’s a federal requirement; the city is not making a political statement on whether it should operate the dams — it simply wants to be in compliance, he said.

“We want to be able to still continue generating hydroelectric electricity, if the community wants to,” Westhuis said. “The license gives us the ability to operate, but it doesn’t say we shall operate.”

The Powell Falls and Junction Falls dams are about 70 years old and are in good shape, Westhuis said, adding that the plant operates “in the black.”

Rodli said he personally has not made up his mind on whether the dams should be removed, but it’s his general sense that the dams have outlived their usefulness. He’d like to see studies on the dams and what would result if they were to be removed before he comes to any conclusions, he said.

The dams have formed two lakes, which can see algae blooms in the summer, and the dams and lakes together raise the temperature of the water downstream, which may be problematic for the popular trout-fishing river, he said.

“Ultimately, that poses potential harm to the trout population and the habitat they depend on,” said Rodli, adding that many in his group are avid trout anglers.

The city has begun contacting a number of stakeholders about the relicensing process, which is still in the early stages, Westhuis said.

Monday’s public meeting will begin with an introduction and site visit at 3:30 p.m. at the power plant, followed by a 4 p.m. tour. The meeting, with an opportunity for public comment, will take place at 5:30 at City Hall. A meeting of the utility advisory board will follow.

Members of the public with questions are asked to contact Ray French at rfrench@rfcity.org or 715-426-3437.

Andy Rathbun can be reached at 651-228-2121. Follow him at twitter.com/andyrathbun.