patapsco river siltation

[THE FISHMAN]

Has anyone noticed how much sediment from the two dam removals has filled in entire stretches of the Patapsco river?

[hammock14]

Haven't noticed...whereabouts? Water looks clear right now.

[THE FISHMAN]

its from the Avalon area ( near Elkridge) all the way to below the 895 tidal portion. DNR told me over 175,000 cubic yards of silt was let go when the two dams were removed. Now a third and larger dam is to be removed without regard to the sediment built up behind the dam. They say it will eventually wash down stream. Into the bay I guess?

[Lone Ranger]

I can tell ya' this about the mainstem of the Patapsco......Haven't seen the water,even if clear it doesn't make it safe.Know of a Crabber..500 Pots....1 Buschel of Crabs,,everything that being sluffed out is dying!

[reelcrazyfish]

Hey THE FISHMAN, haven't been on Tidal Fish in a while, but a friend of mine told me about this link. I'm one of the folks working on this project thought I would chime in here. The Union Dam removal didn't have any sediment behind it, the dam was breached in 1972 by Hurricane Agnes and all the sediment was washed out. The Simkins Dam released about 70,000 cubic yards of sand and gravel downstream. We are well aware that this sediment has filled in some popular fishing holes, but this will wash out in time and the long-term benefits of the project will greatly outweigh the short-term impacts. We are holding an Open House to discuss options for the Bloede dam THIS Thursday and Friday. If you are interested in this project, please check out the link below and read through the Alternatives Analysis - it has some great info in it. I'll be at the Open House both days, all day, if you want to talk about it further. Thanks guys!

http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisherie...edam/index.asp

JIM

[Bottom Knocker]

I am all for fish passage. This is the last dam to be breached. In the late ninties I had some great fishing wading the Blode spillway. One trip catching 11 species of fish.

[J bones]

the sediment behind those dams is very very very very small amount compared to the susky and restoring the river for fish passage is paramount to any small amount of sediment, that should not have been trapped in the first place.

Is Bloede dam the one at Daniels or the one down stream from Ilchester rd? I am assuming one of those is gone already, since this is the last? Have fished below each.

[Bonefish79]

Are you talking sand or silt? The stretches below Elkridge have always been sandy, very little in the way of a gravel bottom through there. I've been fishing that area hard for the last year and I'm not noticing much silt. The fishing, though, has been VERY good for bluegill, smallmouths, rock bass, small stripers, white perch and fallfish. In between heavy rains the water is trout stream clear.

[reelcrazyfish]

Bloede Dam is the first on the River. From the Mouth up, they go 1. Bloede (Near I-95) 2. Simkins - now removed (near Ellicott City) 3. Union - now removed (Under Rt. 40) 4. Daniels - (Near 29). The sediment behind Bloede dam is greater then 95% sand and course gravel. You don't find much silt until you get closer to the mouth of the Patapsco. It's possible some of the sand/gravel from the Simkins and Bloede removals could help provide better substrate for fish and aquatic organisms by covering up the silt in the lower sections - but there is a continuous supply of silt/sediment entering the river via which is not connected to either the Simkins or Bloede dam. Again, I ask those interested in the project to check out the website below for additional information. Also, I urge the folks posting here that support removal to submit their comments via e-mail to: bloededam@dnr.state.md.us We ARE reading the comments that come in and your support or even your questions/comments are important. There are many folks who feel the dam is historic and deserves to stay, we are hearing from those folks as well. Thanks again guys.

Link to website for more info:

http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisherie...edam/index.asp

JIM

[THE FISHMAN]

I'm for dam removal also but this is no river. Its a creek. The flows have been reduced over the years to the point that during summer most flow comes from treatment plants alone! Its ankle deep below Rt 1. Try launching a canoe. I live in Relay and know every inch. Its in pitiful shape now. Between this and all the sewage spills and will only get worse. Have you seen the lower tidal portion near Belle grove or the amount of material that NOW sits above Bloede dam(below Ilchester)?? Its nearly 40 Ft deep and a mile long! Id be glad to show anyone in person or with documents that its not gravel! Sure it will wash away... down stream to the bay! Do you think a shad will traverse the 2 inches of muck to get upstream to spawn? NO. Thats why they never used the fish ladders in the first place.
p.s. You will need waders when you read Jims analysis.