Spring Creek Dam Removal
- Thread starter troutbert
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nymphingmaniac
Well-known member
yes! I was wondering if they were ever going to get rid of that.
The article says 2 dams will be removed. The one shown in the photo is roughly in the middle of the canyon.
But it doesn't have specific information about the other dam. Would this be the dam at Rock Road, above the Benner Spring hatchery?
nymphingmaniac
Well-known member
I noticed the inconsistencies (or omissions) in the report. they wrote the parking area on Rock road will be closed for construction. Since it makes no sense to close this to replace the mid-canyon dam, I bet they are doing both. The other dam is by "the rock" and the closed bridge access to the hatchery grounds upstream of Benner as you wrote. They should get rid of that eye sore bridge too!
The full press release:
HARRISBURG, Pa. (July 17) -The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) announced today that a stream restoration project that will include the removal of two low head dams along Spring Creek, Centre County, will begin on July 22, 2024. The project is expected to last approximately one month.
While work is being completed, a portion of Canyon Road located between the PFBC's H.R. Stackhouse School shooting range and Rockview Road, and the PFBC parking area at Rock Road will be temporarily closed to the public. While the Spring Creek Canyon trail will remain open to walking, access to the project areas will be restricted.
Removal of the dams and their intake structures from Spring Creek will restore natural flows to the stream and improve passage and habitat quality for aquatic life including wild trout. Similar to other habitat enhancement projects that occur in a stream channel, signs of construction may be evident downstream such as increased turbidity.
The PFBC thanks the public for their patience and understanding as these improvements are completed.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (July 17) -The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) announced today that a stream restoration project that will include the removal of two low head dams along Spring Creek, Centre County, will begin on July 22, 2024. The project is expected to last approximately one month.
While work is being completed, a portion of Canyon Road located between the PFBC's H.R. Stackhouse School shooting range and Rockview Road, and the PFBC parking area at Rock Road will be temporarily closed to the public. While the Spring Creek Canyon trail will remain open to walking, access to the project areas will be restricted.
Removal of the dams and their intake structures from Spring Creek will restore natural flows to the stream and improve passage and habitat quality for aquatic life including wild trout. Similar to other habitat enhancement projects that occur in a stream channel, signs of construction may be evident downstream such as increased turbidity.
The PFBC thanks the public for their patience and understanding as these improvements are completed.
salmo
Well-known member
I know that this is an off topic question, but might these moves increase the chances of brook trout in Spring?
No
Good to hear.
I'll be in the area soon and, if possible, I'll try to get some photos.
If you can get pics, maybe before the project starts, and post them, feel free to do so (don't wait for me).
I'll be in the area soon and, if possible, I'll try to get some photos.
If you can get pics, maybe before the project starts, and post them, feel free to do so (don't wait for me).
Nocktavius
Well-known member
Hope they do a better job than the one on Cacoosing/Tully
dryflyguy
Well-known member
The dam at the rock makes a nice pool where I frequently find fish rising.
I'll miss it
I'll miss it
Have you been there recently?
People posted pictures soon after the dam removal.
Does anyone have photos of how it looks now?
I hope these dams' removal is not as detrimental to Spring Creek's trout as the removal of the West Penn and McCoy's dams was, esp. McCoy's. (I imagine the dry-fly fishing available in the pools of these old dams is something that is now a fond memory for only a few of us old guys. I doubt if (m)any young guys even remember these two dams.)
Anyhow, I hope the removal of the two now does not harm the fishery and the habitat.
Anyhow, I hope the removal of the two now does not harm the fishery and the habitat.
caddisflyer
Well-known member
I was there a month ago. Still full of sand and silt at mouth and shallow with no structure above in creek. It looks terrible. I had hoped the several high water releases in spring would move some of the sand out of the main creek but it has not changed at all.
JeffP
Well-known member
The Pa Woods and Water guy did a one-year update on the project. He seemed optimistic and he was commenting on some new work being done. I'm sure it will take a few years. That was last September.
nymphingmaniac
Well-known member
Sunday: The downstream dam was removed and the channel is clear. They will wrap up the work this week. I will post photos once the site allows me.
I wonder if they will remove the trees wedged in the metal bridge upstream of where the dam was removed as long as equipment is on site. It seems to me this could present problems over time.
Rock road dam. They will start work 8/5/24. The "rock" parking lot will be closed.
I wonder if they will remove the trees wedged in the metal bridge upstream of where the dam was removed as long as equipment is on site. It seems to me this could present problems over time.
Rock road dam. They will start work 8/5/24. The "rock" parking lot will be closed.
nymphingmaniac
Well-known member
Sunday. The downstream dam near rockview. Not sure what they are going to do with the bridge across the old dam (where the excavator is in the picture ) to maintain the trail. Perhaps they will keep it and install new rails
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