Flat Rock Dam fish ladder

[wildtrout2]

I posted something similar a couple years ago about this apparent off and on situation. The fish ladder at Flat Rock Dam is once again non-operational, completly dry, with A LOT of trash in it. It's sad to see this.

Mike saw my last thread regarding this same issue and was actually able to get folks in the right positions to have it opened to fish travel again. For as much money as this project must have cost, you'd think they would maintain it properly.

 

[AndyP]

I stop down there quite a bit as I live nearby but havent been there since last Fall. I have called many times to report this condition as it seems to be like this more often than not.

 

[wildtrout2]

I stop down there quite a bit as I live nearby but havent been there since last Fall. I have called many times to report this condition as it seems to be like this more often than not.

I hadn't been down there in quite a while, but thought I'd check it out. I agree, it seems it's like this more often than not. Such a waste of money if they're not going to maintain it.

 

[troutbert]

Why has the dam not been removed?

 

[wildtrout2]

Why has the dam not been removed?

I have no idea TB. I do know the original dam was built in 1818, so it must still be doing it's job as originally intended.

 

[Nymph-wristed]

I have no idea TB. I do know the original dam was built in 1818, so it must still be doing it's job as originally intended.

Manayunk already floods enough as it is, I suppose.....

 

[wildtrout2]

Manayunk already floods enough as it is, I suppose.....

Good point. They've certainly had their flooding issues over the years.

 

[troutbert]

Manayunk already floods enough as it is, I suppose.....

How does that relate to keeping the dam, rather than removing it?

 

[wildtrout2]

How does that relate to keeping the dam, rather than removing it?

Water flow during heavy rain events would be my guess. Manayunk is downstream of the dam.

 

[troutbert]

Water flow during heavy rain events would be my guess. Manayunk is downstream of the dam.

I doubt that dam has any flood control functions.

 

[Mike]

I doubt that dam has any flood control functions.

Correct. It’s a run-of-river dam.

 

[Nymph-wristed]

So, then why does it stand? Is it producing power, can it again? Too close to 76? Too much money to blow a hole in it to partially breech? Has to be a reason, yeah?

 

[wildtrout2]

Flat Rock Dam was originally put in to maintain a pool for the Manayunk Canel, for coal transport. Wouldn't it still slow the flow of the river?

 

[TimMurphy]

Flat Rock Dam was originally put in to maintain a pool for the Manayunk Canel, for coal transport. Wouldn't it still slow the flow of the river?

Dear wildtrout2 and others,

Coal hasn't been transported on the Schuylkill Canal for over 100 years. Railroads took over that job. The Kernsville Dam east of Cabela's, the modern landmark, was built 76 years ago to stop the spilled coal from going downstream to the ocean. It was dredged for a long time but there is still a ton of unrecovered coal and maybe even a few diamonds on the river bottom. Couldn't resist the reference to the old John Anderson song! 😉

Flat Rock Dam could easily be removed with no ill effects to the river. I'm sure it would cost many millions of $'s though. It also might ruin Boathouse Row on the Schuylkill, and that ain't ever going to happen.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[mikephl]

I'm not an expert on any of this, but it seems the dam's main function now is to preserve a pool upstream for recreation. Lots of boats are on the river and it goes all the way up to Conshy, where the high schools rowing teams train. On the Philly side of the dam, they are creating a park around the first lock adjacent to the dam and have plans this year to dredge the old Manyunk Canal. It's becoming an historical park. Lots of dollars already invested. Lots of fancy new apartments are being built.

 

[wgmiller]

Last time I was at Flat Rock was a few years back in the spring for water rescue training. It's a great place to train below the dam under the right conditions. I had a hard time focusing on the training at times as I wished I had my fly rod in hand. In my mind, if I'm IN the water I'm fishing!

 

[wardman]

Flat Rock Dam Betterment –Projects & Construction

Spent many days/nights moving product up the hill when the river would flood and connect to the canal. Anniversary of Agnes was a few days ago and an officer died looking for people that were on the banks supposedly, Swanz was there. One time product leaked and suds kicked up at the art museum. Never used for power but to redirect water to canal since the rocks were not navigable in that section.

Caught many fall fish?? On the river side, lost and Nymph caught my rod/reel one time. Always shocked that they built on flat rock, but hey, someone bought including Mayor Green who got the restaurant built. Blankin Yarn had some cool spots and used the canal to run equipment. Even Mrs Paul’s used to manufacture there before too many storms led them to leave. Good times!