BUNOLA, Pa. – Following a recent controlled explosion to initiate the removal of a dam in Elizabeth, concerns have arisen amongst boaters at a nearby marina. The project has resulted in a significant decrease in water levels, leaving boaters with less shoreline to navigate. For David Shallenberger, who has called a part of the Monongahela River in Bunola his second home for decades, the impact is stark. Formally a hub for water skiing, fishing, and leisure activities, the area has now been visibly altered.
The floating ecosystem that once thrived has now faced a decline, evident in dead clams clinging to poles by the marina. David and his wife, Lynn, have noticed a distinct drop in the river’s water levels, causing concern about the accessibility of boats come winter. The removal of the dam, which had stood since 1907, has reshaped the landscape along the Monongahela River, affecting not only the boating community but also businesses in the area.
With the docks submerged in mud and boats struggling to navigate the shallower waters, concerns about the project’s execution have been raised. Lynn, reflecting on her 40 years of living by the river, expressed disappointment in what she perceives as a misstep in planning. As water levels remain lower than anticipated, the completion date for the removal project has been expedited to address the unforeseen challenges faced by those impacted.
Amidst a slower business pace and a loss of approximately 40% of the marina, the local community remains wary of the long-term repercussions of the project. As the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Pittsburgh adjusts its timeline to accommodate the accelerated completion date, stakeholders are left grappling with the implications of the altered river landscape. The unforeseen consequences of the dam removal have prompted a reevaluation of future environmental projects in the region to mitigate similar disruptions in the future.