Indiana American Water Co. is planning a public meeting for 6 p.m. Feb. 27 to discuss a project to remove this low-head dam near the company’s water treatment facility near Rockford. The meeting will be held at the Jackson County Learning Center, 323 Dupont Drive, Seymour.
Aubrey Woods | The Tribune
A public meeting has been scheduled for later this month by Indiana American Water Co. to discuss a proposed project to remove a low-head dam on the East Fork White River near Rockford.
The dam, which spans the width of the river, formerly served the purpose of providing adequate water levels for supplying surface water to the company’s adjacent water treatment facility, according to a news release from the company.
The dam, located off County Road 760E south of Reddington Street on Seymour’s far north side, is no longer needed since the company now uses groundwater as the only source for its Seymour system. That system serves about 8,000 customers or a population of nearly 22,000 in the Seymour area.
This sign at the public access site to the East Fork White River at Rockford warns recreational users of the dangers of Indiana American Water Co.’s low-head dam.
Aubrey Woods | The Tribune
The meeting will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Jackson County Learning Center, 323 Dupont Drive, Seymour. Representatives from Indiana American Water and the design contractor, Christopher B. Burke Engineering, will provide details about the project and be available to answer questions from the public.
A low-head dam is designed and built so water flows continuously over the crest from bank to bank, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Removal of the dam will improve safety for recreational users of the river by eliminating recirculating currents that are typically associated with low-head dams, according to the company. The project also will enhance habitat and aquatic species biodiversity in the area.
Construction is expected to begin in the fall and be completed late this year, the company reported.
The dam at Rockford is the only one listed in Jackson County, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ inventory of low-head dams in the state.
According to the DNR website about low-head dams, there are times the water around them appears tranquil and inviting; however, moderate to high flows over such dams create strong turbulence and recirculating currents that can push victims underwater and then pull them back to the face of the dam in a repeating cycle.
These structures have been known to trap unsuspecting victims in dangerous conditions. Even the strongest swimmers and rescuers wearing the best personal flotation devices have drowned at low-head dams.
The Indiana Nature Conservancy also advocates for the removal of low-head dams because of the benefits for both nature and people.
Indiana American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.3 million people, according to the news release.
With a history dating back to 1886, American Water employs approximately 6,400 people who provide regulated and regulated-like drinking water and wastewater services to an estimated 14 million people in 24 states.
For information, visit amwater.com or diversityataw.com or follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.