the removal of the new kernsville dam

Serious discussions relating to the removal of the New Kernsville Dam have been occurring for at least the last five years. Since the closing of the northern portion of the Kernsville Dam Recreation Area in August 2016, the push to remove the dam has gained traction. During the spring of 2017, Blue Mountain Wildlife weighed the issues surrounding the removal of the dam and issued the following:

Statement of Position

Removal of the New Kernsville Dam

Blue Mountain Wildlife, Incorporated, has been considering the question of the removal of the New Kernsville Dam for some time.  The removal of the Dam would create a number of issues, both positive and negative.  They include the following points:

 ·        Protect the reservoir

The Dam does create a large body of water which is generally a positive situation for fish, waterfowl, wildlife, fishermen, and boaters.  Removal of the Dam would remove some of those situations and change others. 

·        Prevent the release of sediment

Removal of the dam, if accomplished improperly, would release additional sediment downstream, adversely impacting the river for many miles and possibly for many years.

·        Preserve the status quo

While the removal of the Dam may be spurred by the events of the summer of 2016, should the efforts of law enforcement pay off and the numbers of visitors return to typical levels, the area may be reopened for all to enjoy as they have for the past half-century.

·        Put the money elsewhere

The money used to remove the Dam, upwards to $10.8 million State tax dollars, could be better spent elsewhere in the budget. 

·        Remove a dam that has fulfilled its function

The New Kernsville Dam was built as part of the Schuylkill River Project, a joint Pennsylvania/Federal Government project to remove coal silt from the Schuylkill River.  It was the first dam of the project built to create a desilting pool, and was constructed in 1948 and 49.  However, the last time the pool was dredged was in 1971 and it is believed that the silt now filling the pool is normal runoff.  The dam does not control flood waters and has no other purpose. The dam has fulfilled its function.

·        Remove a dam, the pool of which will no longer be dredged

As stated above, the last time the New Kernsville pool was dredged was in 1971.  The pool is filling with silt and, particularly below the Big Blue Mountain locks, is only a few feet deep for a sizeable portion of the area.  The only deep channel remains along the eastern side of the pool, following the course of the original river bed.  The last dredge for the three desilting dams was taken out of service a few years ago and there are no plans to replace it. At this point, the pool will only continue to fill.  On the western side of the pool, spots that were twenty feet deep or more forty years ago are now dry land.  This will continue until only a flowing river channel remains along the eastern bank.

·        Reveal historical features currently hidden

Although the western portion of the Big Blue Mountain Dam is now completely buried in silt, the eastern portion is along the original channel and is likely only submerged by water.  Should the dam be removed, the lower lock will be exposed.  Other historical constructions, including other sections of the Big Blue Mountain Dam, may be exposed as well.

·        Remove an impediment to fish migration

The New Kernsville Dam has been an impediment to fish movement since its construction.  Cursory studies have been made regarding fish ladders, but the costs to date have been prohibitive.  Since shad have been returned to the Schuylkill, they have moved upstream past Reading and have recently been caught at the base of the New Kernsville Dam.  Removal of the dam would allow freedom of movement for fish. 

·        Return the river to a more natural state

The removal of the dam would return the river to a state it has not seen since the early 1800's.  It would be unimpeded between Tamaqua or Landingville to below Reading.  This could be a boon to fishermen, canoers and kayakers.  The dam would no longer impede traffic along or on the river.

·        Re-sculpt the area

With the removal of the dam, between forty and fifty acres of what is now water will become dry land.  This gives us the opportunity to create forest, meadow, wetlands and other features to replace the open water.  It will also gives us the opportunity to re-sculpt the river bed to create ideal habitat for fish and wildlife, as well as ideal channels for canoers and kayakers.  The dam itself could be retained for a portion of it length and serve as the basis for a pedestrian bridge across the Schuylkill.  The possibilities for the area are staggering.

·        Remove or reduce an attractive nuisance

By returning the river to its natural state, it is likely that the depth of the pool at Pulpit Rock will be significantly reduced.  The river throughout what is now the pool of the New Kernsville Dam may likely resemble the area the river above the Route 61 bridge - with depths of between one and five feet.  If the dam is only partially removed, the remaining part will no longer have water flowing over it, again reducing its attractiveness as a waterslide.  The area immediately below the dam will retain its current depth, but natural forces will work to gradually silt it in as well.

·        Remove liability to the owner

The Dam is currently a serious liability to the owner of the property.  Its removal will lessen the overall liability on the property and make it more attractive to other Commonwealth departments interested in repurposing the area, perhaps as a State Park.  Should that occur, the property may be run by a Commonwealth entity that has the budgetary capability to properly fund and manage the property in ways more suitable to its current uses.

The leadership of Blue Mountain Wildlife has considered the points mentioned above and has determined that the removal of the New Kernsville Dam, if properly accomplished, will create many more positive outcomes than negative for the Kernsville Dam Recreation Area and for the Schuylkill River in general.  Blue Mountain Wildlife, Incorporated therefore has decided to support the removal of the New Kernsville Dam.

Adopted May 11, 2017

In 2018, 10.8 million dollars was budgeted by the Commonwealth for the removal of the dam. The planning portion of the project has been underway ever since and a draft plan has taken shape.

The draft plan

On July 2, 2020, Blue Mountain Wildlife received a copy of the draft plans to remove the dam, including the plans to dredge part of the pool of the New Kernsville Dam in preparation for its removal. The US Army Corps of Engineers, as part of the permit approval process, is requesting comments on the draft plans. Comments may be submitted by email to:

PhiladelphiaDistrictRegulatory@usace.army.mil

Written comments may also be mailed to:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District Wanamaker Building 100 Penn Square East Philadelphia, PA 19107-3390 ATTN: CENAP-OP-R

The comment period closes on July 31, 2020.

On July 29, 2020, Blue Mountain Wildlife provided the following comments to the Army Corps of Engineers:

To Whom It May Concern:

In response to CENAP-OP-R-2019-00070 Public Notice regarding the PA DEP Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation application to dredge portions of the pool of the New Kernsville Dam and then remove the New Kernsville Dam, Blue Mountain Wildlife Incorporated, the lease-holders of the Kernsville Dam property, respectfully submits the following comments to the materials published under the afore-mentioned Public Notice:

1.     The applicant should ensure adequate coordination with the ongoing I-78 Improvement Project in the southern area of the Kernsville Dam Desilting Basin.  It is our understanding that the portion of the Desilting Basin to the south of the I-78 bridge construction zone is to be used to deposit a significant amount of fill generated by the I-78 Improvement Project at the PA Route 61 interchange, as well as some of the fill generated by the I-78 bridge construction.   This should be confirmed.

2.     The proposed route of the piping to transport the dredge slurry in the area of the Desilting Basin will involve the removal of a significant amount of vegetation, including a large number of mature trees, on or adjacent to the outer base of the Desilting Basin berm.  Blue Mountain Wildlife recommends that the piping be installed under the trail surface of the Therman Madeira Switchback Trail, which parallels the proposed route of the piping for the entire length of the route in the area of the Desilting Basin.  While inconveniencing trail users for the period required to install the piping, utilizing the trail bed should require less expense and mitigate the long-term impacts to the vegetation, wildlife and views in the immediate area of the Therman Madeira Switchback Trail that the proposed route would create.  As the Therman Madeira Switchback Trail is heavily used, Blue Mountain Wildlife is willing to work with the applicant to ensure that any work along the Trail causes minimal disruption and is accomplished in the shortest time.

Blue Mountain Wildlife Incorporated is supportive of the projects and stands ready to assist as needed. Please feel free to contact us for clarification of the afore-mentioned comments or for any additional comments or suggestions.