On Friday another project left the office. We said our goodbyes this time to the White Clay Creek Dam One. This is the first dam in a series of dams, along the White Clay Creek, that the Water Resources Agency, a division of IPA at the University of Delaware is interested in removing in order to reintroduce Shad Fish to the creek. MAHBS was contacted about doing Section 106 evaluation for the property.

Environmental View of the White Clay Creek Dam One

The MAHBS crew began field work on the dam, back in March 2011. The temperatures were lower, as was the water level. Two brave individuals went in to the creek to survey the surviving milldam wall, mill apron, and the abutment. This was CHAD’s first milldam to be surveyed, and the first time we integrated GPS camera points, to plot the surviving mill race.

The White Clay Creek Dam One (also known as the Byrnes Milldam) was constructed between 1773-1777, by Daniel Byrnes. Byrnes was a prominent miller, and Quaker minister in the region. After conducting research this was the second of his at least four mill sites that he established along the East Coast!

It was a very interesting project to work on, and we have some of the best field work photos, and stories from this trip. It will be affectionately known forever around the office as the “damn dam.”

 

For more information on the Shad Restoration Project please see:

http://www.ipa.udel.edu/ipa/news/WCCshadrestoration.html

http://www.ipa.udel.edu/wra/