Gentleman looks on as excavators tear down the remaining wall of a half-century old dam in the Harpeth River
Helicopters circled above a mile-stretch of the Harpeth River Wednesday as excavators ripped out a 6-foot-high sheet-metal dam that was constructed more than 50 years ago.
The low head dam was created to supply Franklin with drinking water decades ago. Now the city has other options, which led to the push to return the Harpeth to a free-flowing river.
Dorie Bolze, Executive Director of the Harpeth River Watershed Association, says the dam has had an ecological impact on fish habitats. Now a lower natural structure will be put in its place.
“Because it’s so shallow, the fish can swim right through it and over it, whereas with the 6-foot high wall – for them – it’s like the Berlin Wall they can’t go anywhere.”
View from the “Dam Cam” of the Harpeth River lowhead dam in Franklin before demolition began.
Franklin’s city administrator, Eric Stuckey, says the restoration project should be complete by late fall.
To keep track of the progress of the restoration efforts, the HRWA has set up a “dam cam” that can be viewed on their website.
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