Dan River project will expand paddling opportunities

Posted on Posted in Announcement, Conservation, Officer Report

 

This drawing shows the Madison Fish Habitat Restoration Project at Lindsey Bridge on the Dan River. (Upstream is at left.) Water will drop through a series of pools that allow fish to move upstream. Paddlers will be able to go downstream.
This drawing shows the Madison Fish Habitat Restoration Project at Lindsey Bridge on the Dan River. (Upstream is at eft.) Water will drop through a series of pools that allow fish to move upstream. Paddlers will be able to go downstream.

A restoration project on the Dan River in Rockingham County will transform a low-head-dam into a passage for fish and play spot for paddlers.

The Lindsey Bridge access on the Dan will close Sept. 14 for several months during construction, according to a news release from the city of Madison. However, paddlers can still use the public access on N.C. 704.

“What we are looking at is basically building a staircase from the dam down to the riverbed,” engineer Kris Bass said in the release. His company created the project’s concept design.

The project will not only improve Madison’s water intake and water quality, but also provide a better habitat for the federally-endangered Roanoke Logperch and James River spinymussel, according to the release.

Madison was faced with rebuilding the dam, but this project is cheaper, the release said.

Bob Brueckner
CCC Conservation Chair