The PA DEP is planning to be in town tomorrow to start the first step of dismantling the 3rd Street dam. That'll include draining the the Broomall Lake beginning around noon.
As I mentioned last week, the PA DEP would like to have the dam fully breached by the end of the year. Once that happens, it'll be off limits for pedestrian traffic and may be closed for up to two years.
What happens to all the animals that include the snapping turtles and fish that currently thrive in the lake? That's a good question, which I don't have the answer to. We'll keep an eye on it and let you know what happens.
Partial Draining scheduled for today:
ReplyDeleteThere will be a partial draw down of Broomall's Lake today(Tues)- this means it will be partially emptied. According to the PADEP Division of Dam Safety, today and tomorrow, they will sample the sediments in Broomall’s Lake. To facilitate this, they are doing a partial draw down today so that the sampling can take place tomorrow (Wednesday). After that, Broomall’s Lake will refill.
Sediment testing is a step in the PADEP's process to remove the dam. The PADEP is aware of the turtles in the lake. We will continue to post updates as we learn more.
Anonymous:
DeleteYou mean "replace the dam" ---- right?
Showing your true FROG colors with the "remove" slip up
Terrible time of year to be draining a lake that you know has turtles in it.
DeleteThe turtles more than likely have settled into the mud at the bottom where it won't freeze. If you drain the lake now when it gets colder and freezes the turtles will be more exposed and likely die because the water has been drained.
DeleteThe replacement of the dam harms a public park and the natural course of a stream. Why should tax payers pay for another high hazard dam for the next 50+ years? Just asking.
DeleteThe Borough should just seize the Property (Broomalls lake) through eminent Domain. Then sell it to a developer to build a high end housing development. The resultant tax revenue could buy enough new fire trucks for 100 years. (Or just reduce taxes for all of the other parcels)
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