Dunkard Creek, PA

Brave Station and Pumping Station Dams
Dunkard Creek, Greene County, Pennsylvania

American Rivers initially chose this dual dam removal project for its far-reaching benefits. These benefits included reducing upstream flooding and restoring threatened freshwater mussel and fish species habitat in the Dunkard Creek watershed, renowned for its high level of biodiversity. This river restoration project has become even more important following a catastrophic fish kill in September 2009, which resulted in 100% mortality (the death rate of species in the creek) of 161 species on 37 miles of Dunkard Creek.

The presence of these two dams contributed to the fish kill because of the slow, warm water found in their impoundments. Removal of the dams will both improve water quality and reconnect aquatic habitat, both of which are critical factors in the stream’s recovery. So, despite the massive fish kill, American Rivers moved ahead with the engineering designs for the projects.

The private owners of the lower (Pumping Station) dam proceeded with removal to aid the restoration of the stream and to address their liability and local flooding issues. They plan to establish an outdoor classroom and bird sanctuary on the site. American Rivers secured economic stimulus funds from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for this dam removal, which was successfully removed in November 2010.  

The proposed removal of the upper (Brave Station) dam has been more complicated. In November 2009, our engineering consultants discovered that the impoundment contains an extensive network of submerged pipes that once provided industrial heat exchange for early twentieth-century gas compressors at the adjacent property. This finding has prompted the postponement of the upper dam’s removal pending further assessment of project complexity, viability, and cost.