The dam was part of a small 225 kW hydroelectric facility - the smallest of all of Duke's hydro plants. Duke obtained permission from FERC and financial assistance from the state of North Carolina for removal of the dam. Removal of the dam will eliminate a 14-acre impoundment and create a 10-mile unimpeded river flow.
Odds are that smallmouth bass from below will move upstream, and trout from above will move downstream. We say fish it often and report on the results so we can all see what effect the dam removal has on the fishery!
Asheville has run a couple of pieces on this showing the work in progress. I'm not sure how much work they have been doing the last couple of weeks due to the weather we've been having and the roads generally iced up. Would not be fun to be working outside. I wanted to get over there to at least watch some of the work, but have not been able to. General agreement that this is a good thing all the way around, but some of the local folks still object to the removal. Personally, I think they will find the end results to their liking. --John Kies--
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