Columbus Began Demolition of Low-Head Dam
Crews have started removing the dangerous structure on the East Fork White River to improve safety and stop erosion.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Emergency Response
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Crews began demolishing a low-head dam located between the Second Street and Third Street bridges in downtown Columbus on September 21, 2026. The project intends to eliminate hazardous currents and stabilize the riverbank to protect nearby infrastructure.
Why it matters
The removal project is essential to mitigate severe bank erosion that currently threatens a former landfill and local sewer lines. Eliminating the dam also removes a dangerous hydraulic trap that creates recirculating currents hazardous to public safety.
The demolition process is scheduled to span exactly one week to complete the removal of the dam from the East Fork White River. The structure is a delisted Indiana Department of Environmental Management Superfund site.
The players
Indiana Department of Environmental Management
This state agency oversees environmental protection and previously managed the designation of the dam as a Superfund site.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This federal agency provided funding for the project through its National Fish Passage Program to restore aquatic connectivity.
The details
Crews are currently breaking up the concrete structure to restore natural flow to the river and secure the area surrounding the former landfill. The project is supported by grants from both state and federal agencies, including the National Fish Passage Program.
Timeline
September 21, 2026: Demolition work on the dam officially began.
Late September 2026: The project is expected to be fully completed.
Seasonal Patterns
This removal project follows a pattern set by the National Fish Passage Program to restore river health by eliminating obsolete or hazardous man-made barriers. Such removals are increasingly common as municipalities prioritize the mitigation of long-term structural risks to public utilities.
Residents should avoid the area between the Second Street and Third Street bridges while heavy machinery is in operation. Please remain alert for potential detours or temporary closures near the riverbank as crews finalize the demolition this week.
The takeaway
Removing obsolete dams is a vital strategy for cities to protect critical infrastructure like sewer lines from the encroaching damage of riverbank erosion. This project highlights the importance of re-evaluating aging civil engineering structures to better align with current public safety standards.
Further reading
Learn more about local infrastructure and Emergency Response protocols in the area.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBIW.
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