| Fifth Avenue Dam Update
Many sections of the Olentangy River boast clean water, natural beauty, and abundant fish and wildlife. Unfortunately, that is not the case for a two-mile stretch near the OSU campus between Dodridge St. and Fifth Avenue.
In that area, the Fifth Avenue Dam impedes the natural flow of water, creating a stagnant pool that lacks sufficient oxygen to support many fish and insects. The dam also represents a safety hazard, as shown by the recent drowning of a young man who was sucked into the currents at the base of the dam. For those reasons, the Lower Olentangy Watershed Action Plan strongly recommends removal of the Fifth Avenue Dam.
Until recently, plans to remove the dam seemed to be moving ahead. The City of Columbus had committed $640,000 in EPA fine money to the project, and it appeared that the U.S. Congress would approve an additional $1.18 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to remove the dam. Unfortunately, the Army Corps funding did not make the final cut, putting the project indefinitely on hold until funding can be obtained.
Because funding remains uncertain, it will be important to let the City of Columbus that removing the Fifth Avenue Dam is a high priority for making the Olentangy River clean and safe! Please take a moment to send an e-mail to Mayor Coleman’s Action Center to thank the Mayor for the progress that has been made to date and to ask him to take the next steps toward removal. Note: Please remember
to type in your name at the bottom of the email.
If you have problems with the email link, you can cut and paste the text below and put it in your email message to mac@columbus.gov
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Dear Mayor Coleman,
I am writing to thank you for the steps that the City of Columbus has taken to date toward removal of the Fifth Avenue Dam, and to ask that you make this project a priority and intensify your efforts to seek funding to remove the dam.
As you are well aware, the dam represents a serious public safety hazard, as evidenced by the drowning that occurred there in June. Because the dam does not appear dangerous, paddlers and fishermen are lulled into a false sense of security. However, in reality the hydraulic current of the dam is capable of trapping and drowning even the strongest of swimmers. The drowning in June was not the first to occur at the Fifth Avenue Dam; in 1964 two canoeists drowned, as well as the Fire Chief who was attempting to rescue them.
The Fifth Avenue Dam is also an impediment to clean water on the Olentangy. The pool behind the dam is the only area of the main stem of the Olentangy that does not meet EPA water quality standards. The slow currents and low oxygen behind the dam exacerbate the problems caused by Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs). Therefore, removing the dam would complement and enhance the City’s existing Wet Weather Management Plan to eliminate CSOs and clean up the Olentangy.
Because the dam is a threat to both public safety and clean water, I hope that you will take the necessary steps to obtain a detailed cost estimate and locate funding sources to move this project forward on an accelerated time table. Removing the dam is very much in keeping with your commitment to a Green Columbus.
Sincerely,
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