Facilitating Low-Head Dam Removals and Improving Aquatic Resource Restoration Outcomes: Agenda

Facilitating Low-Head Dam Removals and Improving Aquatic Resource Restoration Outcomes: Agenda

July 9, 2024
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Eastern

Agenda: 

  • Program History
    • Johnstown 1889 and Austin 1911 failures and resulting 1913 law (1919 canvas)
    • Dam building history from 1913 to the 1970s (2nd highest stream length in U.S. and role in founding of the country and early industry, include dam age and time period stats)
    • Laurel Run 1977 failure and resulting 1978 Dam Safety and Encroachments Act
    • Approximately 3,400 regulated dams today out of more than 8,000 documented in the dam inventory
    • Beginning of dam removal program 30+ years ago
    • Waiver 16 from 1978 regulations vs. Dam Permit to Breach
  • Why are conditions in Pennsylvania conducive to dam removal and aquatic resource restoration
    • 1.    Regulatory process/Waiver 16 usage
    • 2.    Division of Dam Safety requirements/safety 
    • 3.    Early inventory of dams with a century of updates
    • 4.    Abundant dams with over 8,000 records in the dam inventory
  • Application Process
    • Waiver 16 (Restoration Waiver) 
    • Application Requirements and Process
    • Plan approval.  What does an approvable plan look like?
      • Minimum regulatory requirements-demarcating regulated waters, existing infrastructure, cross sections, etc.
      • Engineering
      • Environmental/restoration
  • Monitoring has guided our decision-making and program development
  • Examples
  • Planning for comprehensive restoration with dam removal
    • Legacy sediment 
    • Applied Principles of Restoration
    • Restoration potential
    • Restoration limitations
  • Q&A Session
    • Wetland/watercourse/floodplain/habitat/water quality goals
  • Success stories and examples of restoration potential
  • Low-head dams
    • Low hanging fruit
    • Low hazard vs public safety at dams
    • Hydraulic Rollers
    • Dam owner requirements and public safety – Act 91 of 1998
    • Public interest and historical concerns
    • Abandoned dams – PFBC coordination for signage and all are now removed
  • Challenges moving forward
    • Unsafe situations – emergency permit for removal
    • Sediment
    • Restoration targets and limitations
    • Funding
  • Comparing the regulatory process/climate for dam removal in PA to other states
  • Challenge of planning for comprehensive restoration
  • Site challenges
  • Q&A Session