A new project has been proposed that would likely destroy most or all of the popular play waves and holes downstream of the Holtwood Dam on Pennsylvania's Susquehanna River. 

 

The project would add new generators to the existing dam, thereby eliminating 55 of the 95 days the dam spills water into the channel containing the playspots in an average year.  In addition, proposed channel excavations may replace waves with deepwater channels, new diversion dams may destroy, flood, or dewater playspots, and additional construction activities may impact access or alter flow patterns.  In concert, it appears the proposed actions would be devastating to some of the best playboating in the midatlantic region. 

 

Jeremy Laucks has written a great guide to the Holwood surfing: http://www.chasingrain.com/surfguide/Holtwoodguide.pdf

 

While severely impactful to whitewater boating, the proposed activities would have several potential benefits.  The project may benefit shad by attracting more of the fish to the fish ladder near the turbines.  The project will provide an extra 132 megawatts of power from an existing dam, and will likely be financed with massive new incentives provided under the 2005 Energy Policy Act.  

 

The dam owner is trying to reach a settlement with as many stakeholders as possible prior to filing for a license amendment and extension in early fall of this year.  It is very important for paddlers to attend public meetings and participate in the settlment process in order to assure that whitewater boating use is protected, mitigated, and enhanced. 

 

American Whitewater has been working with local clubs and businesses to collect resources and initiate a dialog with the dam owner.  We are drafting an introductory set of comments on the proposed activities which we will be sending to the dam owner later this week.  American Whitewater supports enhancements to fish passage, and is not opposed to installing additional capacity to the Holtwood Dam, and we will be seeking opportunities to protect paddlers' interests while supporting others' interests.  The project, as currently proposed however, is totally unacceptable in that it will devastate a valuable paddling resource with no consideration or mitigation.   

 

For more information on the project, and the meeting schedule, check out the dam owners' web site: http://www.pplweb.com/holtwood2010/

 

Plant Tour and Public Meeting

 

A tour of the Holtwood facility will be conducted on April 18th.

 

Following the initial events on April 18, working meetings will be held the last Wednesday of each month from April through August to refine development of the proposal in consultation with interested stakeholders. These meetings will be open to the public. For meeting specifics consult the PPL website.  Paddlers are strongly encouraged to attend these meetings.