21 hours Ago By Natalie Olafson
In a recent initiative under Governor Mike DeWine's H2Ohio plan, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is set to demolish the Cloverlick Creek Dam in Clermont County. Given the nod as a strategy to enhance the stream's water quality, this demolition marks another step towards restoring Ohio's aquatic ecosystems. The low-head dam, which once served its purpose, now stands as a barrier impeding wildlife and contributing to habitat degradation.
Spanning 200 feet, the Cloverlick Dam's removal is not just an exercise in environmental restoration; it's a clear illustration of inter-agency cooperation. The project involves the ODNR’s H2Ohio Rivers Program and Division of Wildlife, Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Village of Bethel. Expected to begin in 2025, the dam's destruction will also eliminate a public safety hazard, allowing for safer recreational activities like paddling and fishing.
According to ODNR's announcement, "We know that having successful partnerships is critical to success in the H2Ohio initiative," ODNR Director Mary Mertz expressed.Project partners aim to complete the stream restoration by 2026, but efforts will not stop at seeing the last concrete chunk being hauled off. Monitoring fish populations, habitat assessment, and species removal are on the agenda through 2028.
Deepening the project's significance, it also comes with the financial backing of an additional $1.1 million federal grant awarded through the America the Beautiful Challenge, complementing the H2Ohio Rivers program's contribution of $920,000.Environmental gains from activities such as these can be substantial, and fish, mussels, invertebrates, and birds that migrate will benefit from their habitats and be given a new lease on life.
Reiterating this point, restoring the stream gradient and reconnecting 86 miles of stream will, as shared by the ODNR's website, "improve water quality in the stream, watershed, and downstream into the reservoir." It's a multifaceted win for conservationists and the local community alike.Beyond the sheer environmental impact, the H2Ohio initiative symbolizes a commitment to tackling complex water issues head-on.
In that manner, addressing algal blooms and pollution and ensuring access to clean drinking water isn’t just a goal – it's a promise being kept by Ohio’s administration. More about the state's water quality plans can be found on H2Ohio's official site. In contrast, those interested in the state's wildlife initiatives may check out the Division of Wildlife's page for further details.
.
