Williamsport Dam
| Williamsport Dam | |
|---|---|
 Hepburn Street dam as seen from South Williamsport side | |
| Official name | Hepburn Street Dam |
| Country | United States |
| Location | Williamsport, Pennsylvania |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | 1984 |
| Opening date | 1986 |
| Construction cost | $11.9 million |
| Owner(s) | Pennsylvania State Government |
| Operator(s) | Williamsport Water Authority / Pennsylvania Fish And Boat Commission |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Low Head |
| Impounds | Susquehanna River |
| Length | 122 feet (37 m) |
The Williamsport Dam, officially known as the Hepburn Street Dam, is a low-head dam on the Susquehanna River in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. It broke ground in 1984 and was finished in the spring of 1986. It was built for recreation, such as boating, water sports and fishing. It has been described as a "killer dam," and a "drowning machine."[1]
Background
The old Hepburn Street Dam (Pre 1984) was made of wooden railroad ties with 4 inches caps between each tie. People were able to walk out across the old dam. The new Dam constructed in 1984-early 1986 was build for recreation. Before the dam was built he average depth of the West branch Susquehanna River was 4.6 feet with its deepest parts being just under 10 feet deep. Some placing were impassable by boat due to being inches or only feet deep. Now after the new dam was built the average depth of the West Branch Susquehanna is 8.3 feet deep with depths of over 20 feet.
Fish ladder
The Hepburn Street Dam has a Fish Ladder located on the South Williamsport side of the dam. In 2014 the Fish Ladder was rebuilt and made wider due to sticks and debris becoming stuck in the ladder along with adding more lanes for more fish to be able to use the fish ladder. Originally the da, did not have a fish ladder it was added in the early to late 1990s due to publish pressuring local officials to add the fish ladder for American Shad.
References
- ↑ "Hepburn Street dam called a ‘drowning machine’". Williamsport Sun-Gazette. April 16, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2016. (subscription required (help)).