INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Department of Public Works is set to receive funding for removal of the Emrichsville Dam from the White River.
According to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service project overview, Indy DPW will get $750,000 to completely remove the 250-foot long, 8-foot tall dam. The funding is part of the National Fish Passage Program, which is designed to better connect people and watersheds.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has indicated that removal of the Emrichsville Dam will mitigate the effects of climate change and yield unrestricted fish passage, ecological resilience and economic development.
Per the project overview, getting rid of the dam will also help make fishing and other recreational activities safer on the White River.
Since 2021, at least three people have died while boating near the Emrichsville Dam.
Most recently, two kayakers went under water near the Emrichsville Dam around 8:30 p.m. on April 16. Their bodies were recovered from the river on April 22.
In March 2021, a 45-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy were swept over the dam in a canoe. The man escaped to safety, but the 17-year-old did not survive the accident.
As of this article’s publication, it is unknown when the project will begin or how long it will take Indy DPW to complete it.
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