Demolition of the McCoy-Linn Dam, an aging 14-foot high, 150-feet long structure that creates a 16-acre stagnating effect on Spring Creek, began last week near the confluence of Spring Creek and Bald Eagle Creek in Centre County.

This project is the first step in a larger project to restore a section of Spring Creek and create a recreational destination.

The dam is located between the towns of Bellefonte and Milesburg and was one of the first of the dams built at this site probably dating from early in the 19th century as part of Harmony Forge and the Milesburg Iron Works.

Floodwaters breached McCoy-Linn Dam in 1936, but it was rebuilt to generate hydroelectricity for West Penn Power, which closed operations in 1950 and has been idle ever since.

Today the dam serves no functional purpose, is a liability and negatively impacts a world-class coldwater fishery. The dam also blocks boaters from floating downstream to the confluence with Bald Eagle Creek.

The dam and surrounding 25 acres of property are owned by the Fish and Boat Commission. The ClearWater Conservancy of Central Pennsylvania is acting on the Commission’s behalf to manage the project.

“It has been the Commission’s desire to remove the dam for nearly two decades. Previously the resources and partnerships were simply not available,” said Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Doug Austen. “By using the same cooperative approach the Commission has been able to successfully pursue on more than 70 similar projects across the state, we’re now able to move forward with an effort that will culminate in the creation of a destination fishery similar to the renowned Fishermen’s Paradise. Likewise, recreational paddling will be greatly enhanced by the dam’s removal.”

In addition to ClearWater Conservancy and the PFBC, project partners include American Rivers, Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Centre County Historical Society, Centre County Office of Planning and Community Development, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and The Pennsylvania State University.

“Removing McCoy-Linn Dam will significantly improve the water quality and riparian habitat along this reach of Spring Creek as well as create new recreational opportunities for residents and visitors of Centre County. We are very excited to see the site restored to its natural condition,” said Katie Ombalski, ClearWater Conservancy’s Conservation Biologist.

“Today, a new chapter on Spring Creek is about to begin, complete with a free-flowing stream, abundant wild trout, and incredible natural beauty. The riverside path will be a wonderful way to reconnect people to their river,” said Rebecca Wodder, President of American Rivers, an organization providing significant project funding through a Department of Environmental Protection Growing Greener grant.

Final products of the project include restoration of approximately 0.35 mile of a high quality stream and 0.7 mile of riparian habitat, installation of fish habitat enhancement structures in the newly established stream channel, and development of public access to 1.3 miles of a contiguous Commission-owned section of Spring Creek. Additional grant funding has been applied for to support access development and educational signage.

For more information, visit the ClearWater Conservancy webpage.

8/17/2007