Design Drawings of Project: Click for larger image.
| Plan view before removal |
Cross section before removal |
Plan view after removal |
Cross section after removal |
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Historical Information
1. Dam Name: Wolfe-Academy Park Low-head Dam
2. Estimate height of dam in feet 4 ft.
3. Dam Type:
a) earthfill dam ____
b) concrete arch dam ____
c) gravity dam ____
d) masonry dam ____
e) timber cribs ____
f) other, please explain: __X__ made of cut stone blocks
4. Location Description: On Alum Creek between Wolfe and Academy Park near river mile 7.5. Approximately ½ mile south of Broad Street, 400 feet north of footbridge built in 1920’s.
5. Year Constructed: 1930’s (Removed November 2008)
6. Dam Owner:
a) public X
b) private ____
c) abandoned: ____
7. Dam Function:
a) generate hydropower ____
b) irrigation ____
c) domestic water supply ____
d) navigation ____
e) flood control ____
f) recreation X
g) industrial water supply ____
h) unknown: ____
8. What repairs have been done to the dam? No repairs were done. However it was modified with derrick stone on the south facing portion of the lowhead dam in order to break up the vortex which caused the drowning of two teenagers.
9. Reason(s) for Removal:
a) aesthetic enhancement: X
b) fish and wildlife habitat improvement: X
c) cost savings ____
d) community revitalization: ____
e) public safety hazard: X
f) water quality improvement: X
g) recreational improvement: X
h) alternative to dam ____
10. Project Sponsor (who initiated project): Friends of Alum Creek and Tributaries. Any questions please contact Kim Williams, FACT Watershed Coordinator 2820 Watkins Road, Columbus, OH 43207 phone 614-409-0511
kwilliams@friendsofalumcreek.org. For information and pictures concerning lowhead dam please visit: http://www.friendsofalumcreek.org/sitev2/lowheaddamremoval.html
11. Dam Removal Funding Sources:
a) federal ____
b) state: X
c) local governmental agencies ____
d) other (please explain) _________
12. Cost of Dam Removal: $111,200.00
13. List all Contractors by Name, include Address and Telephone #:
- Burgess and Niple, Inc., 5085 Reed Road, Columbus, Ohio 43220 phone 614-459-2050 Lead project manager for Burgess and Niple, Katherine Fontaine
- The Righter Company which was contracted by B&N.
14. Permits Required:
a) federal X US ACOE Nationwide Permit 27
b) state____
c) municipal X access agreement to enter CRPD
15. Dam Photographs:
a) before removal: X
b) during removal: X
c) after removal: X
16. Problems Encountered:
a) before removal: None
b) during removal: None
c) after removal: None thus far. The high release of water from the Alum Creek State Park reservoir dam did move the fine material and exposed the foot of the lowhead dam which was not seen before. However, this will help maintain streambed elevation, and it will be left.
17. Before Removal:
a) Estimated Reservoir Area in acres: 1 acre
b) Composition of river bed (e.g., sand, pebbles, boulders, bedrock):
for the most part silt, but after removal, the pebbles, cobbles etc.. were exposed, as well as the footer for the dam which simulates the appearance of bedrock.
c) Types of Fish caught in the river:
carp, white sucker, bluntnose minnow, green sunfish, golden shiner
d) Water Quality
i) behind the dam Good____ Fair: X Poor______
ii) below the dam Good X Fair ____ Poor______
18. Were any studies of the river conducted before the dam was removed? Yes
If yes, who conducted the studies and who is the contact for obtaining them?
Chuck Boucher at OEPA conducted IBI and QHEI: Chuck.Boucher@epa.state.oh.us
Katherine Fontaine, Burgess and Niple, conducted ICI
kfontaine@burnip.com
19. Have studies been conducted on the river after the dam was removed to
document changes in the river?
Yes
If yes, who conducted the studies and who is the contact for obtaining them?
Not applicable