Brinkhaven dam removal will reduce safety risks, improve ecosystem

MOUNT VERNON — Removal of a low-head dam near Brinkhaven Park will benefit the Mohican River and enthusiasts who enjoy the scenic river and water trail.

“From our perspective, in addition to improving the ecosystem to what it was before the dam was put in, the dam is extremely dangerous,” Lori Totman, director of the Knox County Park District, said. “The dam is deteriorating and has exposed rebar. People utilizing the water trail have to go far to the right to avoid it.”

A more significant safety risk is a situation called a “keeper.”

When low-head dams are submerged, the water flowing over the dam recirculates, creating a backwash. The backflow creates a churning that sucks under swimmers and boaters. It also sucks in tree limbs and other debris.

Additionally, air bubbles get mixed into the churning water, which reduces the buoyancy of someone in the water. Reduced buoyancy increases the likelihood of drowning, even if the person wears a life jacket.

Environmental benefits of dam removal include restoring the natural river flow, improving water quality, and reconnecting river habitats that benefit fish and wildlife such as macroinvertebrates, mussels, and the Eastern Hellbender.

Totman said that the dam was useful at one point when Brinkhaven had a mill and two trains going through.

“It was a booming place,” she said.

But “the time has come” to remove the dam.

“The dam over the years has deteriorated, and it will be much better for the ecosystem in the long run to get that out of there,” she said.

Because neither the park district, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, nor Ohio Scenic Rivers had the money to remove the dam, The Nature Conservancy is heading up the project. The cost is high, just under a half million.

TNC is working with the Army Corps of Engineers on the project and has just selected design and construction crews. TNC hopes to complete the project this year.

The park district has a 15-year lease for Brinkhaven Park through ODNR.

“Once the low-head dam comes out, they have agreed to improve the launch for people accessing the water trail for kayaking and fishing,” Totman said. “They will expand and improve the parking lot as well as the road leading to the parking lot.”

The park district will remove the first shelter house. Other park district improvements include rewiring the electricity to the second shelter house and adding a grill, picnic tables, and a Corn hole area.

Midway Welcome Station

In her update to the commissioners on Jan. 26, Totman said work continues on the Midway Welcome Station on the Heart of Ohio Trail in Centerburg.

She noted, however, that “we really need to pick up the pace on this,” as funding from the Knox County Foundation must be spent by January 2024. HOOT board members are working on getting plans re-certified by the state commerce department.

In a separate project, the county will install a board fence on North Clayton Street adjacent to the trail to delineate the public/county property line.

The new fence will be about 17 feet closer to the businesses than the current split rail fence. However, before the new fence can be installed, concrete barriers, a tractor-trailer, pallets of material, and debris on county property need to be cleared.

Trail signage

Liberty Township trustees are considering installing signs on the HOOT similar to the ones Hilliar Township erected.

Totman and the commissioners agreed consistency is important along the Heart of Ohio, Kokosing Gap, and Mohican Valley trails. The commissioners will consider covering some of the cost, but to do so, they want to see Knox County on the signs as well as the townships. Totman will check pricing on various sizes and design fees.

Woodlands Discovery Trail

Conversations between park district and state officials have revived relating to a proposed Woodlands Discovery Trail on the grounds of the Mount Vernon Developmental Center. Discussions began in 1999.