KINGWOOD — Friends of the Cheat was awarded $100,000 from the DTE Foundation to study removal of the Albright Power Station dam.
Located 29.3 miles upstream of Cheat Lake, this dam is the only barrier to aquatic passage for migrating species of fish, such as walleye, throughout the entire 78.3 mile-long Cheat River main stem.
The dam is part of a First Energy coal-fired power plant decommissioned in September 2012. The pool created by the dam once fed the plant’s cooling towers. The plant and dam remain.
A consulting firm will be hired to conduct a reconnaissance level study of the dam. Results of the study will provide information on the structural integrity of the dam, how much sediment has accumulated behind it and its composition, a mapping of the bottom of the river and calculated anticipated flows.
The finished report will also include conceptual plan drawings and two potential options for removal. Other project highlights will include using environmental DNA technology to survey the Cheat River for Eastern Hellbender and collaborating with the State Division of Natural Resources (DNR) on preliminary fish surveys.
The DNR endorses removing the dam.
“Preserving our environment — land, air and water — is a priority for the DTE Energy Foundation,” said Lynette Dowler, president of the foundation. “We’re proud to support Friends of the Cheat in their work to remove a dam that will improve aquatic life and enhance fishing along this beautiful waterway.”
Over the last 25 years, Cheat River water quality has improved. Fish can be found throughout the river and populations in Cheat Lake show continued growth and diversity, with over 45 species logged.
Removing the dam would improve river habitat for aquatic life, including pollution-sensitive walleye and smallmouth bass, according to the release. Dam removal would also improve water quality for once-present species, including the Eastern Hellbender and freshwater mussels, and could act as a catalyst for restoring and reintroducing these species in the Cheat River.
Once a liability, the Cheat River is now an asset fueling recreation throughout the region. Whitewater paddlers have returned and outfitters are seeing renewed interest.
The Cheat River and Lake host annual bass fishing tournaments as well as competitive Global whitewater events.
With the dam removed, paddlers could navigate the river 162 miles from its headwaters on Shavers Fork, near Snowshoe, north to Cheat Lake. Outfitters and private paddlers would gain an expansion of access sites and connected river miles enabling new types of trips and experiences, such as tubing, SUP, multi-day trips and races.
“Removing the Albright dam, if found feasible, is the next logical step in our mission to restore the Cheat River,” said Madison Ball, restoration program manager for FOC.
“FOC has dedicated 25 years to restoring the Cheat from acid mine drainage, and now we are beginning to reap the rewards: improved water quality and healthy pH, a diversity of fish species recolonizing the river — including acid-sensitive smallmouth bass and walleye, and renewed interest in river recreation.”
TWEET @DominionPostWV
