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Frequently Asked Questions about Clearfield-Curwensville          Low-Head Dam Removal and Public Recreational Whitewater Parks

1. What is a low-head dam, and why is it proposed to be removed?

Low-head dams are structures built across rivers or streams to manage water flow, but they are often only a few feet high, creating a "drop" in the water level. These dams have limited utility today and can be extremely hazardous, as they create dangerous currents that can trap people and debris. Removing dams improves river safety and a community hazard, restores natural ecosystems, and opens the way for recreational use.

2. Why replace low-head dams with whitewater park features?

Replacing dams with whitewater park features creates a controlled and safer environment for recreational activities like kayaking, tubing, and canoeing while maintaining upriver and downriver surface water elevations consistent with the seasonal levels the community is accustomed to experience. Whitewater parks attract visitors, boost tourism, and offer a community asset. Whitewater parks foster connection to the downtown merchants, while allowing the waterway to flow naturally, benefiting both the environment and public enjoyment.

3. How does removing low-head dams benefit the local ecosystem?

Low-head dams disrupt natural water flow, which affects fish migration, sediment transport, algae growth, and the overall health of aquatic ecosystems. By removing the dams, water flows more freely, helping restore natural habitats, improve water quality, and support wildlife. Fish passage improvements are designed to support fishing activities and biodiversity.

4. Will a dam removal and replacement project affect local property values?

Yes, replacing low-head dams with whitewater parks has a positive impact on property values, especially for waterfront properties. Economic Impact studies show that communities with access to recreational water features often experience increased property values, create more business opportunities, create higher demand for nearby real estate, and stimulate greater community pride.

5. How will public safety be addressed with these new recreational features?

Safety is a top priority. Unlike low-head dams, whitewater parks are designed with controlled currents to eliminate the hydraulic features associated with dams. Areas will include safety signage, and designated zones for various skill levels. Trained swift water rescue personnel from local fire departments and rescue paddle groups will find the parks attractive areas for local and regional rescue exercises. As a public recreation area, safety features, such as rescue stations, and park rules and regulations are included to ensure a safe experience for all visitors.

6. How will the project be funded?

Funding for dam removal and whitewater park construction often comes from a combination of state and federal grants, local contributions, private donors, and sometimes from specific economic development funds. These projects are often eligible for environmental and recreation-focused grants due to their community and ecological benefits. This strategy is a community wide initiative that includes many key partnerships locally, including but not limited to the Curwensville Regional Development Corporation, Clearfield Revitalization Corporation, Visit Clearfield County, Clearly Ahead Development Corporation, Clearfield County Conservation District, and local municipalities.

7. Will this project increase taxes?

Municipal impacts vary depending on the project’s funding sources and structure. Federal, state, and local grants and other funding sources are planned to be used to eliminate local tax burden and minimize local community investment. No specialty tax increases, assessments or fees are necessary for the project.

Studies show that communities with access to recreational water features often experience increased property values, more business opportunities, and higher demand for nearby real estate and business services. This creates growth in tax revenue generation for a municipality without increasing tax rates.

8. How long does it take to complete a low-head dam removal and whitewater park project?

The timeline varies based on the size and complexity of the dam and the design of a whitewater park. On average, projects can take between two to three years, including planning, permitting, construction, and final site work. The timeline is communicated to the community throughout each stage of the project. The first phase of planning and permitting is anticipated to take 12-18 months. Construction and final site work is expected to take 12-18 months thereafter.

9. What recreational activities will be available at the new whitewater park?

Only 1 out of 7 visitors to a whitewater park get wet! That’s right, Six out of 7 visitors do not participate in the water during their visit. Whitewater parks are designed to support a range of water sports, including kayaking, canoeing, tubing, paddleboarding, fishing, swimming, and sometimes surfing. Park visitors will likely have surrounding walking and bicycle trails, picnic, spectator areas, and spaces for community events to enhance the experience for all.

10. Will the project impact flood risk?

No, removing low-head dams generally decreases flood risks and ice jams associated with dams because it improves water flow. Engineers assess flood impact in the design phase to ensure the whitewater features accommodate natural river flow, even during high-water events, further reducing the chance of flooding while preserving and maintaining seasonal upriver surface water elevations that the community is accustomed to experience.

11. How will this project impact local businesses?

Whitewater parks often increase local tourism, benefiting nearby businesses such as restaurants, retail shops, and outdoor equipment rentals. By creating a destination for visitors, these parks support economic growth and increase customer traffic, positively impacting the local economy. Recent economic impacts report communities (population sizes of 8,500) experience $750,000 to $6 million annual benefits directly to their community and the creation of 50-100 direct jobs locally.

12. Will fish and other wildlife be able to use the river with the new whitewater features?

Yes, whitewater park designs incorporate fish and bird friendly features that allow wildlife species to move up and downstream. These structures are created to maintain or improve the natural ecosystem, allowing fish migration and habitat restoration while supporting recreational use.

13. What are the maintenance costs for a public whitewater park?

Public Whitewater Park maintenance is consistent with on-land public parks. Communities may anticipate the need for seasonal sidewalk snow removal, sanitation removal, power washing and flood debris cleanup from common trail areas in the event of 100–500-year rainfalls. As for waterways, like dams, if a large tree becomes stuck, the community has the option to let Mother Nature run its course or remove the debris or accumulated silt with a backhoe. A backhoe may reach out from areas designed in the engineering process and permitted to do so per US Army Corp. Engineer’s 404 Permit. This permit is required and obtained prior to park construction to safely restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of our Nations’ waterways.

14. How will this park affect insurance costs for the community?

It is recommended for all public parks to be added to a municipal general liability policy at a minimal fee and likely cost less than a general liability policy associated with low head dam coverage. Historic evidence shows the river is a public waterway and liability is drastically mitigated by use of safety, rules and regulation signage.

15. How will the whitewater parks be named?

This is extremely important and must involve a community effort to prominently recognize the important roles our river towns, and townspeople endured along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River from the early days of colonizing rural Pennsylvania and America. This is an amazing story and requires partnership with local historic societies and heritage groups to memorialize the story for all visitors to enjoy along the Susquehanna River Trail.

16. How can residents provide input or stay informed about the project?

Yes, communities will host public meetings, workshops, and informational sessions for residents to provide feedback. Key stakeholders and municipal officials will serve as points of contact and will be asked to participate in all engineering meetings that will be conducted in the project areas. This will ensure the public is informed. Project updates will be available through local government websites, social media, and news publications to keep residents informed at each stage of planning and development.

 

Clearfield-Curwensville Whitewater Feasibility Study

Date:                           November 21, 2023

Contact:                     Rob Swales, Chief Executive Officer, Clearly Ahead Development                                                                                                                                             Phone 814-768-7838, rswales@clearlyahead.com                 

CLEARFIELD – Will Clearfield County soon experience whitewater recreation parks on the Susquehanna River? Local stakeholders assembled early this year to initially begin the process on how to improve the waterways of Susquehanna River in the greater Clearfield and Curwensville areas. On June 7 and October 26, 2023, over 30 local stakeholders convened to meet with representatives from S2O Design & Engineering (https://s2odesign.com/projects) and Clearly Ahead Development to discuss the feasible nature of a whitewater parks study proposed on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. S2O Design & Engineering is a premier, global leader in the creation of whitewater park design and engineering.

The study was organized by Clearly Ahead Development and funded in part by Appalachian Region Commission and Visit Clearfield County. Clearly Ahead Development CEO, Rob Swales stated, “The study’s purpose was to determine the overall feasibility for the removal of multiple low head dams inherently owned and/or maintained by municipalities as a means to resolve hazardous deterioration and to preserve river elevations the community is currently accustomed to experience. The study was to investigate the removal and ultimate placement of whitewater features in Curwensville and Clearfield, and Shawville, Pa as recreational park possibilities.” The study was shared in recent municipal meetings of Curwensville Borough and Clearfield Borough to showcase a solution to the communities deteriorating low head dams and providing an opportunity to create a public recreational asset for locals and out of area visitors.

The local stakeholders’ group provided valuable feedback and analysis throughout the preliminary and final feasibility assessment process. The group comprised of local citizens, municipal leaders, conservation groups, anglers, paddlers, redevelopment organizations representing Curwensville, Clearfield and Quehanna-Karthaus areas, GenOn Energy, small business owners, outfitters, local and regional historic and conservation partners – all of which enjoy the outdoors and the Susquehanna River in their own, unique way. “The Stakeholders input and feedback has been essential to the creation of the plan and identifying methods to improve the waterways while maintaining its aesthetics and cultural significance to the region,” Swales noted.

The full report and stakeholder feedback has been shared with Curwensville & Clearfield Borough in a meaningful, comprehensive manner. The report provides information about public recreational whitewater parks, reviews the proposed project sites, presents conceptual design drawings, estimated project costs, and conceptual plan for how the community can move forward to bring the regional outdoor recreation project to life.

As result, multiple project objectives and targeted end-users were identified and outlined in the study:

• Solve the ongoing repair issues associated with failing low head dams.
• Eliminate inherent risk posed by low head dams by providing carefully designed recreational structures without adversely affecting above and below stream levels.
• Improve fish passage and connectivity.
• Improve fish habitat and biodiversity.
• Allow canoe and kayak navigation and eliminate dangerous portages around existing dams.
• Provide enhanced recreational experience for residents to enjoy on the water.
• Provide a community gathering place for everyone to enjoy on and off the water.
• Increase visibility of Curwensville & Clearfield as outdoor recreation destinations.
• Provide attractions to draw visitors for a “stay and play” experience to provide a significant positive economic impact for the community.

Targeted Users were identified and further identified, but not limited to:

• Beginner canoe/kayakers.
• Intermediate and advanced canoe/kayakers.
• Stand-up paddlers, body boarders, and surfers.
• Tubers.
• Fishing enthusiasts.
• Spectators who visit to watch paddlers and/or to spend time along the river.
• Disabled users utilizing physical rehabilitation opportunities.
• Students engaging in physical education and water safety training.
• Swiftwater rescue training squads
• Special Events.

Nathan Reigner, PhD, Director of Outdoor Recreation, Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation expressed, “With innovations like this whitewater park Clearfield County is not only providing inspired recreational opportunities for its residents and visitors, but also demonstrating that it is a leader leveraging its outdoor assets to enhance economic competitiveness in the Commonwealth.  There are few actions more powerful a community can take to retain its youth, attract new residents, and invigorate entrepreneurs than investing in quality of life through outdoor recreation.”  

The report illustrates how municipalities can successfully address the inherent community safety, existing deterioration, aquatic, and recreational liabilities associated with maintaining or the outright removal of the existing low head dams. In lieu of removal of the dams, the report explains how the sites can be redeveloped into public recreational assets without adversely affecting water levels the community is accustomed to experiencing above and below the current project sites, and the 100-year flood plains.

“The result would improve canoe/kayak passage, and aquatic migration - while maintaining river levels consistent with current levels suitable for recreational flatwater floating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing,” Swales expressed. “An outright removal of low head dams would drastically reduce river levels and likely not the desired outcome for our communities. Rather, incorporating whitewater recreational parks to replace outdated low head dam structures would resolve this concern if and when the low head dams are required to be removed. This is a proactive approach to address an emerging community concern. We are hopeful the municipalities give the study serious consideration.” Swales continued.

In turn, the project areas would serve as public recreational whitewater parks for locals and out of town visitors as an outdoor destination. The results would further strengthen Clearfield County as a diverse outdoor recreational hub and be the only river town in the PA Wilds region with public whitewater recreational parks.

A complete copy of the feasibility study can be found at the Clearfield and Curwensville Municipal Offices, and online at www.clearlyahead.com.

 

Clearfield PA Concept Design – illustrates the replacement of the Raftsman Dam with a series of wave features designed to restrict water flow and to create whitewater features. An island along the western side of the river provides a channel for non-whitewater passage for paddlers and slower swimming aquatic life. 

Curwensville PA Concept Design – illustrates the replacement of Pee Wee’s Next dam with a v-channel system purposely designed to restrict water flow and to concentrate water flow for the creation of whitewater features. Paddlers would have the ability to place in river above or below the wave features. Boulder systems would have passages designed to provide lower flowing water rates for slower swimming aquatic life. 

Proposed wave design – high water – Images depict the design of a wave feature in a v-channel system under high water conditions. 

Proposed wave design – low water – Image depicts the design of a wave feature in a v-channel system under low water level conditions. 

Wave and island channel – Clearfield concept – Image depicts the design of a multi-wave feature and island channel system to provide lower current passage for paddlers and aquatic life.  

 

To view the Feasibility Study click the link below:

 

/Media/Files/Whitewater-Park-Feasibility-Study.pdf