|
|
|
UPDATE!
This week marks the first in our series on dam removals in Pennsylvania.
During the summer of 2000 the Little Lehigh Creek in Emmaus
underwent a transformation: the removal of a small dam.
I filmed the removal as it was in progress, and was amazed
at the changes that took place. This week we’re returning
to the Little Lehigh to get an update on the project from Brian
Vadino of the Wildlands Conservancy. Be sure to check out the
video link to watch the show as it originally aired in September
2000.
|
Relief for the Little Lehigh
Text by Brian Vadino, Wildlands Conservancy
Video Produced by Kelly Meinhart
 ildlands
Conservancy, in cooperation with a broad-based partnership,
completed a low-head, run-of the-river dam removal and riparian
buffer project on the Little Lehigh Creek at Wildlands Conservancy/Pool
Wildlife Sanctuary in July 2000. The objectives of this project
were to improve water quality, reduce non-point source pollution,
restore migratory fish passage and improve aquatic habitat within
the Little Lehigh Creek. The project was also designed to provide
educational opportunities, improve recreational opportunities
and serve as a demonstration project for other organizations
and landowners interested in pursuing similar projects. The
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection provided
funding for this project in the form of a Growing Greener grant.
|
|
| 2001— The Little Lehigh dam removal
site one year after the removal of the dam. |
|
|
 n
August 2003, Wildlands Conservancy, in cooperation with the
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Habitat Management Section,
other project partners and volunteers, began implementation
of an on-going "Adopt-A-Stream" habitat improvement
project on this same reach of the Little Lehigh Creek. The objectives
of this project are to provide additional habitat improvements
to this section of the Little Lehigh. Several habitat improvement
structures, including log, stone and brush deflectors are being
constructed to improve aquatic habitat, and the existing riparian
buffer on this site is being widened and enhanced to improve
wildlife habitat and reduce non-point source pollution. Existing
educational signage is being updated to explain the multiple
benefits of the Best Management Practices that are being implemented.
ildlands
Conservancy anticipates that an analysis and comparison of pre-project
and future biological monitoring data will show that the dam
removal and ongoing habitat improvements have resulted in positive
benthic macro-invertebrate and fish community responses.
|
|
| 2003 — The Wildlands Conservancy continues
to study the affects of the removal, and to make improvements
such as expanding the riparian buffers and installing
stone and brush deflectors to improve aquatic habitat. |
|
|
Background Information
 he
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s
Chapter 93, Water Quality Standards designates Little Lehigh
Creek as a "High-Quality Cold-Water Fishery." The
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission classifies the Little
Lehigh Creek as a "Class-A Wild Trout Stream," supporting
a naturally reproducing brown trout population. The Little Lehigh
Creek is listed as a high-priority stream on the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection’s Section 303(d)
list of impaired streams, with agriculture and construction
identified as primary causes of impairment. Little Lehigh Creek
is also a primary water source for the city of Allentown.
|
For More Information Visit:
Wildlands
Conservancy
|
|
|
|
