The Great Crossing Dam has been a place of recreational enjoyment but also the cause of many tragic deaths.

A year ago, the KY Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) held a public meeting to discuss the future of the dam (article). The speakers included multiple professionals that confirmed that the removal of the dam would not impact the creek in a drastic way. Instead, it would actually improve the environment, could still be used recreationally, and be even more enjoyable for fishermen. Although the wading pool would not exist, there are other ways that the creek could be enjoyed.

I've spoken directly with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, KDFWR, the Dept. of Water (DOW), FEMA, and Sustainable Streams. Many of whom were at last year's meeting, and ALL of them highly recommend the removal of the dam. Many of these entities have experience removing low-head dams along the North Elkhorn Creek and other areas.

Low-Head dams are dangerous because they create what is called a "boil zone" at the base of the waterfall. It's fairly deep and churns like a washing machine, pulling those under with a small chance of escaping. When there is a stronger flow, it's easy for people to be pulled over the dam. To my knowledge, there have been at least four deaths since 2009. 

Scott County Fiscal Court unanimously approved keeping the dam due to the "overwhelming" voices to keep the dam, even though many residents at the public meeting were in opposition. Those in favor of keeping the dam voiced their concerns about recreational use, fishing, irrigation, and historical purposes.

Recreational Use

The "pool" area, launch ramp, and shoals are what makes this portion of the North Elkhorn Creek so appealing. After speaking with experts, it is certain that the area can still be used for recreation if the dam is removed. It is even possible to use the bricks from the dam to create different water features such as natural pools. Kayakers would still be able to navigate the area, granted would have to get out to cross shallow areas as needed. These stream restoration practices would also improve wildlife, notably a variety of fish and mussel populations. Essentially, this portion of the creek would look very similar to the upstream area.

The installation of the proposed rock ramp could eliminate most of the area people like to enjoy at the bottom of the dam. (Example 1 & Example 2)

Fishing

With the creek restored to its natural state, there will be more oxygenated water to increase wildlife. The natural, or man-made, bends, pools, and even the installation of rock ramps, would allow for more areas for fisherman to cast their lines.

There is a yearly bass fishing tournament that utilizes the pool to bring outside fish to dump there and leisurely fish. Again, the removal of the dam will still allow for this tournament to occur, but would probably be more difficult to catch.

Irrigation

This section of the creek is abutted by several homes, two very large livestock farms, and the Canewood neighborhood (see map). The main concern is that the water levels would be too low to pump water from the creek to irrigate the land. After talking with the Department of Water (DOW), they said that farms are exempt from obtaining a "water withdrawal permit" but Canewood is required. District 2 magistrate, Alvin Lyons, who represents the western side of the creek where the farms are, told me that he is unsure if they even pump from the creek. DOW confirmed that agricultural irrigation is not a factor in this pool area.

Canewood's Golf Course Pump

Canewood, on the other hand, has two withdrawal permits, both to water their golf course. One, is for a small pond next to Frankfort Pike, and the other is for the creek. Canewood is only permitted to pump 90,000 gal/day from May to September, and 85,000 gal/day in October. Their current pump leaks a lot of water (see video), but they are required to submit monthly withdrawal reports to DOW. The gauge records indicate that there is sufficient water to meet Canewood's water needs of .14ft³/s (90,144 gal/day). 

According to the DOW, the lowest flow rate recorded by the U.S. Geological Survey gauge at the North Fork Elkhorn Creek (upstream of the confluence with Royal Spring and the Georgetown WWTP discharge) during the 28-year record was 1.02ft³/s (646,190 gal/day). It is important to note that the gauge has recorded flows less than 1.4ft³/s for only 10 days in the last 28 years (Data Source). Even if the stream is running at historically low rates, Canewood would not be able to legally pump once the stream's flow rate hits 1.5ft³/s below the intake pump.

Historical Significance

The dam was build over a hundred years ago, low-head dams were built on streams to harness water, to power grain, textile and paper mills. This has not been the case for a very long time. Its historical significance for Scott Countians is that it is a death dam with no practical use besides its 2.5 mile pool.

What's Happening Now?

The Scott County government is pursuing a $3.2mil FEMA BRIC grant ($600,000 county share) to renovate the deteriorating dam and install a rock ramp to reduce the fatal boil zone that pulls those under. Even though this proposal will mitigate the risk of drowning, the real concern is what we will do if the grant is not awarded.

The rock ramp design are like long steps that cascade the water down while allowing for fish to swim through side channels. They are complex to design and will likely need several steps that will stretch towards the bridge. This will alter the area below the dam that many residents enjoy recreationally.

Alternatively, dam removal would take less than 3 years to complete (permitting and planning processes) and only cost $200-250,000 total, with about a 50% match of funding which can come from a variety of sources (in-kind/volunteering, donations, county, etc.). The U.S. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife has the Fish Passage Program, which many municipalities utilize to remove their low-head dams. These include the dam at Jim Beam and currently, the Barren River Lock and Dam #1. These dams, too, have claimed lives and are over 100 years old.

Even though the Scott County Fiscal Court has approved pursuing the BRIC grant, there has been no consideration of who will own the dam if the grant is awarded. This is because neither party want to have any more liability over the dam. This is why KDFWR prefers removal and wants to transfer ownership to Scott County if the grant is awarded, but after meeting with Judge Covington, I found that Scott County doesn't want ownership of the dam either! If we were to remove the dam, KDFWR and others would help streamline the process and obtain funding.

Speculation to why they proceeded with this plan is for the benefit of the Canewood subdivision because the pump water from the creek to water their golf course. They're afraid that their pump will not work if the water level is too low.

What We Can Do

Even though the BRIC grant is not a guarantee, it's important to make our voices heard louder than before so that when the opportunity presents itself, we can have the dam removed once and for all and avert another preventable tragedy. If you know anyone that has been effected by this dam, please share this petition with them to have their voices heard.

This project proposal has made it this far because of the petitions signed and calls made to local officials to keep the dam. In order to gain any traction, we must do the same! If we gain momentum, I hope to carry out more informative, educational, and effective public meetings.

Please spread this petition with your fellow Scott Countians and reach out to the officials I have listed as "decision makers". If you have any questions or would like to talk, you can contact me at (502) 209-0265 or ejohnson@resilientcommunitiesngo.org.