So I know ther are a few people on here who are into what goes on in the world of water and others may just find this interesting. Dam removal is a particular interest of mine I believe that until they have all been removed or modified to allow fish passage our fishery will continue to suffer. This particular instance just happens to be in my backyard, literally. This Dam was put in place a long time ago and has been slated for remoaval for some time. The process satrted smoothly then as she often does mother nature threw two days of rain in during the firt week to hasten the process. I will post some pics here and more if anyone cares to see them. The power of moving water is awesome I can say that for sure.
The snowy ones are today so hopefully there is some semblance of order althogh before and after are pretty obvious. The two zillion pine trees are to keep the creek in its banks although the creek bed is now higher than my yard. The nearest guess is two years before it is done and back to normal I would complain but I am too happy about the dam coming out…
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Thanks for the pics and the story Kevin, it is fascinating. What's going on with that little weir in the first pics, where is that in relation to the removal site? Its always painful to see that sediment load flushed down the creek, you're right it will be a while before that is back to a natural state. Did they install any traps, is that what the one picture of mud is of there or was that just natural? Its still kinda hard to understand all the pictures and imagine the process, I wonder if its rally better to schedule the removal for the fall, or if waiting until late spring so that the old impounded area could get revegetated sooner? Like in the spring I'm guessing another serious mud flush out of there??? Cool though, thanks for sharing and you're right having that in the backyard would be quite a source of hours of entertainment!
As the mud went down the various valves and spillways were revealed that were used in the original milling process. THe interesting part is that we dont know where the original creek mouth was so we dont know exactly where the build up began I can tell you that there was a layer of sawdust ~6 ft deep in several spots so am guessing the original botom is somewhere below that.
Thanks for the posting on your dam removal project. That is a good example of the type projects we will be involved with on our White River watershed. I've been very busy lately working to meet a Feb 12 grant deadline for a small dam removal and creek restoration through the USFWS. Keep up your good work.
Yep I agree Will however they would have to make it past Tippy and Hodenpyle before they get here so not too worried since they seem intent to keep those in place forever. Although as dead as the rive is up here I would welcome something to fish at least I could shoot Carp off the end of my dock… that could be cool
"Will Schultz" said:
[quote="Cyberlunge"]Although as dead as the rive is up here I would welcome something to fish at least I could shoot Carp off the end of my dock… that could be cool
Time to start stocking it. Heck.. everyone else stocks their home water why should you be any different. All you need is a bucket.
I cannot believe what I just read!! Mr. I love rules & laws?? Now that's more like it!
"Duke" said:
[quote="Will Schultz"][quote="Cyberlunge"]Although as dead as the rive is up here I would welcome something to fish at least I could shoot Carp off the end of my dock… that could be cool
Time to start stocking it. Heck.. everyone else stocks their home water why should you be any different. All you need is a bucket.
I cannot believe what I just read!! Mr. I love rules & laws?? Now that's more like it!
Tongue-in-cheek (tŭng'ĭn-chēk') adj. Meant or expressed ironically or facetiously.
"Will Schultz" said:
Kind of a double edge sword at this point…
With all the invasives in the Great Lakes the dams are the last defense against asian carp, steelhead, salmon, etc.
Will's point is well taken and may be more of a factor in the future.
The dam I'm working on is to restore a fragmented brook trout stream located upstream of the Hesperia Dam which is a barrier to sea lamprey and carp. For now projects like the Boardman River dam removals are still moving forward using the lowest Union Street dam as the exotic control. We can still restore good fisheries in watersheds above the barriers.
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