Who owns the dam and who is funding the project?
Lafayette College is considered the owner of Dam 1 as a result of owning the surrounding property on both sides of the stream. Funding for the dam removal and related engineering studies comes from funds set aside for habitat restoration as a result of the 2005 PPL-Martins Creek ash spill settlement with PADEP. The dam removal project is being managed by Wildlands Conservancy.
Why is dam removal being considered?
Dams disrupt the ecosystem of many native species by ponding water, trapping sediment and isolating sections of the stream. Dam removal restores streams to their natural free-flowing state and improves the stream ecosystem, particularly for native fish species such as trout, shad, and eels that need to migrate up and down the stream. In this case, removal of Dam 1 would reconnect Bushkill Creek to the Delaware River. There is a national trend toward removal of small dams and Pennsylvania is one of the leading states in this movement. Lafayette and its partnership support this project as part of its sustainability efforts, providing that infrastructure impacts are minor. As the dam area is currently neglected, overgrown with invasive plant species, and poses a safety hazard, restoration would promote recreation for students and the larger community in connection with the Karl Stirner Arts Trail.
What will happen to the fish and fishing opportunities?
Bushkill Creek is officially classified as a “High Quality Cold Water Fishery,” meaning that it is a productive trout stream. Removal of the dam will allow trout more ease of movement throughout the area, which could make them more difficult to catch, but on the flip-side, studies show that there are more fish per mile in free-flowing streams than in ponded streams. Furthermore, during times of drought and high water temperature, the ability to move to areas of cooler water is important for fish survival. Removal of the dam will also open up more spawning habitat. Reconnection of the stream to the Delaware River will allow native fish (such as American Shad) and other organisms to gradually return to the stream. It is worth noting that the funding for the dam removals is specifically targeted to improving habitat for mussels and migratory fish.
Will the stream dry up after the dam is gone?
No, the flow in the stream derives from the upstream 80 square mile watershed and is not impacted by whether or not a dam is present. The water level will of course be reduced in the area upstream of the former dam, and the increased velocity of the flow will remove fine sediment that has accumulated behind the dam. There are several former dam sites on the lower Bushkill (for example near the Dog Park along the KSAT) and these areas have reverted to a pool-and-riffle structure.
Will removal of the dam result in more flooding?
The storage reservoir of the dam is very small and so there is no measurable benefit in reducing downstream flooding. In fact, by obstructing flow down the channel that dam actually increases flooding in the immediate surrounding area of Bushkill Drive between 3rd and 4th Streets. Also the dam is located within the floodplain of the Delaware River, thus its removal will not have any impact on flooding in Easton caused by the much larger Delaware River.
What will dam removal mean for safety in the area?
Dam removal will create a safer environment for recreation around the stream. When dams are not in use or maintained, there is a greater risk especially for boaters, swimmers, and fishermen.
What was the dam used for?
See the timeline on this website. The 1908 dam powered the Mann & Allshouse mill across 3rd Street, which closed in the 1950s and was demolished around 1960.
Who can I contact for more information about the project?
The overall project involving 4 dams is being managed by Wildlands Conservancy. Contact Kristie Fach. For Dam 1, owned by Lafayette College, contact Melissa Starace.