DAM REMOVAL: Selected Recreation

1
DAM REMOVAL Selected Recreation Aesthetic
Issues

• Joan Harn, National Park Service
• EWRI Dam Removal Workshop
• Ann Arbor, July 2004

2
TOPICS

• New Recreation - West Bend, WI (video)
• Changing Recreation Pine R., MI
• Landscape (aesthetics) Restoration Civil War
  National Historic Parks
• Recreation Issues to Consider

3
New Recreation West Bend, WI

• Woolen Mills Dam Removal, Milwaukee R.
• Dam public safety problems
• Impoundment water quality problems
• Costly to repair
• Uncertainty about removal
• Public planning process
• 1988 removal

http//www.amrivers.org/index.php?moduleHyperCont
entfuncdisplaycid2425
4
New Recreation West Bend, WI

• Woolen Mills Dam Removal, Milwaukee R.
• Park expansion - 60 ac.
• New uses
• Fishing
• Canoe Launch
• Trails footbridges
• Link to Downtown
• Prairie Wetland restoration
• Athletic fields
• Events Jazz Festival

http//www.wbchamber.org/
5
Changing Recreation Pine River, MI

• Stronach Dam
• 1992 Settlement to remove
• Removal provision included in new license for
  Tippy Dam (p-2580) (Manistee R.) in 1994
• Stronach dam was a FERC decommissioned facility
  included in the Tippy License (p-2580)

6
Changing Recreation Pine River, MI

• Stronach Dam (cont.)
• built 1912, 800 kW, 13 ft. high
• 1953 equipment failure, decision to close plant
• uneconomical small capacity, heavy sediment load
• generators removed, dam remained

Courtesy Bob Stuber - USFS
7
Changing Recreation Pine River, MI

• Stronach Dam (cont.)
• staged removal over 6 yrs
• stream bank restoration
• project completed, spring 2004
• long-term monitoring and evaluation underway

Courtesy Bob Stuber - USFS
8
Changing Recreation Pine River, MI

• Dam Removal Drivers
• canoe portage
• 1992 National Scenic River Designation
• mitigation measure for relicensing other dam
• unused dam

Courtesy Bob Stuber - USFS
9
Changing Recreation Pine River, MI

• Recreation Issues
• Heavy summer canoe and kayak use
• 30 300/day
• FS permit/reservation system
• Protect experience
• Avoid conflicts

http//www.thepineriver.com/paddlecraft.html
10
Changing Recreation Pine River, MI

• Recreation Issues
• Put ins - several options above former dam site
• 2 hr. to 5 day trips
• Takeout 0.5 mi below Stronach Dam portage

Courtesy Bob Stuber - USFS
11
Changing Recreation Pine River, MI

• Recreation Issues
• 6.5 year staged dam removal
• Potential changed use

Courtesy Dave Battige Consumers Energy
12
Changing Recreation Pine River, MI

• Recreation Issues
• 6.5 year staged dam removal
• Maintain recreational access
• Move portage to other bank
• Restrict timing to minimize impacts on
  environment and recreation

Courtesy Dave Battige Consumers Energy

13
Changing Recreation Pine River, MI

• Recreation Issues
• Potential changed use
• Dominant canoeing
• Portage considered impediment to other craft
  types
• Rafts
• Driftboat fishing

http//www.roguerivertrips.com/driftboatfishing.ht
m
14
Landscape Restoration Civil War Battlefield
National Historic Parks, VA

• NPS Mission
• preserves unimpaired
• natural and cultural resources and values
• enjoyment, education, and inspiration
• current and future generations

http//fredericksburg.com/CivilWar/NAphotos/freder
icksburg/314.htm

15
Landscape Restoration Civil War Battlefield
National Historic Parks, VA

• Farm Pond dam removals
• Restore Civil War Landscape
• Eliminate attractive nuisance

16
Recreation Issues

• Potential v. existing recreational resources and
  uses?
• significance in broader region?
• economic costs and benefits?
• Needs for access and facilities?
• current and future?
• during and after dam removal?
• amount of use v. carrying capacity?

17
Recreation Issues (cont.)

• Potential recreational use conflicts?
• Conflicts among different recreational uses
• Conflicts with other values
• Management to address impacts
• Protection of character/quality (e.g., scenic
  values) important to recreation?